The Giant Viruses Study Group, Brazil

Virus Lab, UFMG

Established in 2011, the Giant Viruses Study Group is interested in the discovery, characterization, and evolutionary biology of giant viruses. Our group has been exploring the diversity and richness of Brazilian biomes in search of novel amoebal-infecting viruses. In recent years, we have isolated more than 300 giant viruses, including new virus entities such as Tupanvirus and Yaravirus. Dozens of students have contributed to expanding our knowledge of giant virus richness, evolution, and their relationship with their hosts.
Our group is open to regional and international collaborations, supporting the exchange of students, knowledge, and cultural experiences. We welcome students from diverse backgrounds and expertise, encouraging relationships based on equality and well-being.
ABOUT image



Jônatas S. Abrahão, Associate Professor - CV / Pubmed


Nidia E. C. Arias, Postdoctoral Researcher - CV


Mateus S. M. Serafim, Postdoctoral Researcher (associate) - CV


Victória F. Queiroz, Postdoctoral Researcher (associate)CV


Amanda S. A. Witt, PhD Student - CV


Bruna L. de Azevedo, PhD Student - CV


Matheus G. Barcelos, PhD Student - CV


Talita B. Machado, PhD Student - CV


Matheus F. R. Rodrigues, Master Student - CV


Bruna N. Neiva, Undergraduate student - CV


Dozens of master's and doctoral graduates have obtained their degrees within our group. These former members currently work as researchers and/or professors at companies and educational institutions in Brazil and abroad.


TOP 20 publications, giant viruses.

  1. Fields Virology, Fundamentals, Book Chapter - Giant Viruses. In: Peter Howley; David Knipe. (Org.). Fields Virology. 7ed.: Wolters Kluwer.
  2. Tailed giant Tupanvirus possesses the most complete translational apparatus of the known virosphere. Nature Communications.
  3. Yaravirus: A novel 80-nm virus infecting Acanthamoeba castellanii. PNAS.
  4. Structural and Proteomic Characterization of the Initiation of Giant Virus Infection. CELL.
  5. Giant viruses inhibit superinfection by downregulating phagocytosis in Acanthamoeba. Journal of Virology.
  6. The large marseillevirus explores different entry pathways by forming giant infectious vesicles. Journal of Virology.
  7. Trapping the enemy: circumvents Faustovirus mariensis dissemination by enclosing viral progeny inside cysts. Journal of Virology.
  8. Acanthamoeba polyphaga mimivirus prevents amoebal encystment-mediating serine proteinase expression and circumvents cell encystment. Journal of Virology.
  9. Amoebae: Hiding in Plain Sight: Unappreciated Hosts for the Very Large Viruses. Annual Review of Virology.
  10. Mimivirus fibrils are important for viral attachment to microbial world by a diverse glycoside interaction repertoire. Journal of Virology.
  11. The analysis of KV mimivirus major capsid gene and its transcript highlights a distinct pattern of gene evolution and splicing among mimiviruses. Journal of Virology.
  12. Filling gaps about mimivirus entry, uncoating and morphogenesis. Journal of Virology.
  13. The analysis of translation-related gene set boosts debates around origin and evolution of mimiviruses. PLOS Genetics.
  14. Tupanvirus-infected amoebas are induced to aggregate with uninfected cells promoting viral dissemination. Scientific Reports.
  15. Gene duplication as a major force driving the genome expansion in some giant viruses. Journal of Virology. 
  16. Virus goes viral: an educational kit for virology classes. Virology Journal.
  17. Alohomora! What the entry mechanisms tell us abut the evolution and diversification of giant viruses and their hosts. Current Opinion in Virology.
  18. Analysis of the Genomic Features and Evolutionary History of Pithovirus-Like Isolates Reveals Two Major Divergent Groups of Viruses. Journal of Virology.
  19. Diversity of Surface Fibril Patterns in Mimivirus Isolates. Journal of Virology.
  20. Samba virus: a novel mimivirus from a giant rain forest, the Brazilian Amazon. Virology Journal.


Financial Support image
  • Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil