Scientists have found that viruses living near deep-sea vents can steal genes from bacteria living in the same areas. The stolen genes can then be used to create more viruses.

The researchers who were studying the viruses found that the stolen genes were, indeed, taken from bacteria. Their research suggests that the viruses can hi-jack bacterial genes thereby spreading them around. Experts now say that the gene hi-jacking process may be one of the main forces driving evolution in deep-sea ecosystems. The researchers published their findings in the online journal Science Express. The study was funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF).

"We suspect that these viruses are essentially hijacking bacterial cells and getting them to consume elemental sulfur so the viruses can propagate themselves," said University of Michigan researcher and study co-author Karthik Anantharaman.

Scientists have long been fascinated by deep sea life. Unlike the shallower parts of the ocean, deep-sea ecosystems receive little to no light. Instead of depending on light like other organisms, residents of the deep depend on underwater vents for survival. These hydrothermal vent provide both heat and nutrients for the organisms living deep underwater. The residents of the vents are not limited to microorganisms and scientists have already documented a type of invertebrate known as the giant tube worm living near the vents. These worms are known to grow up to six feet in length.

"Viruses play a cardinal role in biogeochemical processes in ocean shallows," said the NFS Division of Ocean Sciences program director David Garrison.  "They may have similar importance in deep-sea thermal vent environments."

In particular, the scientists working on the study focused on viruses and bacteria living near a type of underwater vent known as "black smokers." The researchers used an unmanned submarine to gain access to the viruses' underwater domain in the Gulf of California. The team then used their unnamed vehicle to collect samples of water in the areas near the vicinity of black smokers. In total, the researchers gathered samples from six different black smokers at depths of over 6,000 feet.

After gathering the samples, the scientists then analyzed the DNA of the microorganisms found near the vents. The team found a type of bacteria called SUP05, which is known to reside near black smokers. Aside from the bacterium, the researchers also found a total of 18 different types of viruses that can infect SUP05 bacteria.

Their analysis showed that the viruses did indeed take genetic material from the SUP05 bacteria. By taking the genes, the viruses were able to infect their targets even faster. Of the 18 viruses found, 15 of them contained genetic material that was similar to the genes found in SUP05.

"There seems to have been an exchange of genes, which implicates the viruses as an agent of evolution," said University of Michigan microbiologist Gregory Dick.