title: Virus silicification under simulated hot spring conditions.
abstract: Silicification of organisms in silica-depositing environments can impact both their ecology and their presence in the fossil record. Although microbes have been silicified under laboratory and environmental conditions, viruses have not. Bacteriophage T4 was successfully silicified under laboratory conditions that closely simulated those found in silica-depositing hot springs. Virus morphology was maintained, and a clear elemental signature of phosphorus was detected by energy-dispersive X-ray spectrophotometry (EDS).
authors.affiliation: Biology Department and Center for Life in Extreme Environments, Portland State University, Portland, Oregon, USA.
authors.forename: James R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Laidler
authors.forename: Kenneth M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Stedman
mesh_terms: D017122:Bacteriophage T4 / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D005580:Fossils; D045482:Hot Springs / Q000737:chemistry*; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000032:analysis*; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D013053:Spectrophotometry; D014871:Water Microbiology
chemical_list: D010758:Phosphorus; D012822:Silicon Dioxide