PNAS Science Sessions10 Nov 2025

Probing the die-off of Pacific oysters

A giant virus associated with oyster aquaculture mortality

Science Sessions are brief conversations with cutting-edge researchers, National Academy members, and policymakers as they discuss topics relevant to today's scientific community. Learn the behind-the-scenes story of work published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), plus a broad range of scientific news about discoveries that affect the world around us.

In this episode, Curtis Suttle and Kevin Xu Zhong explain how a previously unidentified virus may be connected to mass die-offs of farmed Pacific oysters.

In this episode, we cover:

• [00:00] Introduction
• [01:03] Environmental virologist Curtis Suttle introduces the importance of the Pacific oyster to aquaculture.
• [01:42] Suttle describes mass mortality events, including one he witnessed.
• [02:42] Environmental microbiologist Kevin Xu Zhong talks about the methods used to identify the Pacific Oyster Nidovirus 1.
• [03:53] Zhong describes the notable features of the nidovirus.
• [05:19] Zhong and Suttle explain how the nidovirus merits designation of a nidovirus family.
• [06:25] Suttle explores the takeaways for oyster farmers and regulators.
• [08:15] He lists the caveats and limitations of the study.
• [09:40] Conclusion.

About Our Guests:

Kevin Xu Zhong
Research Associate
University of British Columbia

Curtis Suttle
Professor
University of British Columbia

View related content here: https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2426923122

Follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts for more captivating discussions on scientific breakthroughs!

Visit Science Sessions on PNAS.org: https://www.pnas.org/about/science-sessions-podcast

Follow PNAS:
Twitter/X
Facebook
LinkedIn
YouTube
Sign up for the PNAS Highlights newsletter

Det här avsnittet är hämtat från ett öppet RSS-flöde och publiceras inte av Podme. Det kan innehålla reklam.

Avsnitt(424)

Geochemical record of subduction

Evidence of early plate tectonics Science Sessions are brief conversations with cutting-edge researchers, National Academy members, and policymakers as they discuss topics relevant to today's scientif...

3 Aug 10min

Origins of bread wheat

Domestication of wheat Science Sessions are brief conversations with cutting-edge researchers, National Academy members, and policymakers as they discuss topics relevant to today's scientific communit...

20 Juli 9min

Using AI to predict the weather

Using AI to predict the weather Science Sessions are brief conversations with cutting-edge researchers, National Academy members, and policymakers as they discuss topics relevant to today's scientific...

15 Juni 13min

Brain function after cryopreservation

Cryopreservation of brain tissue structures Science Sessions are brief conversations with cutting-edge researchers, National Academy members, and policymakers as they discuss topics relevant to today'...

1 Juni 10min

Paleoecology of Doggerland

The lost forests of Doggerland Science Sessions are brief conversations with cutting-edge researchers, National Academy members, and policymakers as they discuss topics relevant to today's scientific ...

18 Maj 10min

AI in scholarly publishing

Generative AI and scientific journals Science Sessions are brief conversations with cutting-edge researchers, National Academy members, and policymakers as they discuss topics relevant to today's scie...

4 Maj 10min

Genomic history of the Golden Horde

Genomics of the Golden Horde Science Sessions are brief conversations with cutting-edge researchers, National Academy members, and policymakers as they discuss topics relevant to today's scientific co...

20 Apr 10min

Concrete and carbon uptake

How much carbon dioxide concrete can absorb Science Sessions are brief conversations with cutting-edge researchers, National Academy members, and policymakers as they discuss topics relevant to today'...

6 Apr 10min