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Human Virome

Human Virome

The human body harbors a vast and diverse viral community known as the human virome. The virome includes bacteriophages that infect bacteria, and eukaryotic viruses that infect human cells. Transient dietary and environmental viruses also contribute to this dynamic ecosystem. Estimates suggest the human body may contain on the order of 10¹³ viral particles, though abundance varies widely by body site and detection method.Comprehensive characterization of the virome has become possible only with...

Viruses with RNA Genomes

Viruses with RNA Genomes

RNA viruses are categorized into positive-strand, negative-strand, or double-stranded groups based on their genomic structure and replication mechanisms. This classification dictates how they exploit host cellular machinery for protein synthesis and replication. Some RNA viruses also utilize reverse transcription as part of their life cycle, further diversifying their replication strategies.Positive-Strand RNA VirusesPositive-strand RNA viruses have genomes that function directly as messenger...

Viral Recombination

Viral Recombination

Cells are sometimes infected by more than one virus at once. When two viruses disassemble to expose their genomes for replication in the same cell, similar regions of their genomes can pair together and exchange sequences in a process called recombination. Alternatively, viruses with segmented genomes can swap segments in a process called reassortment.

Size and Structure of Viral Genomes

Size and Structure of Viral Genomes

Viral genomes exhibit remarkable diversity in size, structure, and composition, influencing their replication strategies and interactions with host cells. These genomes consist of either DNA or RNA and may be linear or circular. Additionally, they can be single-stranded or double-stranded, with each configuration affecting how the virus propagates within a host. RNA viruses, for instance, generally have smaller genomes than DNA viruses, a factor that contributes to their high mutation rates and...

Introduction to Virus

Introduction to Virus

Viruses are unique biological entities that blur the boundary between living and non-living systems. Although they lack cellular structure and metabolic processes, they can exhibit characteristics of life when infecting a host. Their defining feature is a nucleic acid core, composed of either DNA or RNA, encapsulated within a protein coat called a capsid. This simple structure allows them to invade host cells and use their machinery for replication efficiently.Viral Structure and...

Viral Mutations

Viral Mutations

A mutation is a change in the sequence of bases of DNA or RNA in a genome. Some mutations occur during replication of the genome due to errors made by the polymerase enzymes that replicate DNA or RNA. Unlike DNA polymerase, RNA polymerase is prone to errors because it is not capable of “proofreading” its work. Viruses with RNA-based genomes, like HIV, therefore accrue mutations faster than viruses with DNA-based genomes. Because mutation and recombination provide the raw material for adaptive...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 9, 2026

Protocols for Investigating the Host-tissue Distribution, Transmission-mode, and Effect on the Host Fitness of a Densovirus in the Cotton Bollworm

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Published on: April 12, 2017

The human virome: new tools and concepts.

Marc Lecuit¹, Marc Eloit

¹Institut Pasteur, Biology of Infection Unit, 75724 Paris, France; Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Unité 1117, Paris, France; Paris Descartes University, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Institut Imagine, Paris, France; Necker-Enfants Malades University Hospital, Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Paris, France.

Trends in Microbiology

|August 3, 2013

Summary

The human virome, the collection of viruses in our bodies, is not well understood. Research is advancing rapidly to reveal its composition and impact on human health and disease.

Keywords:

metagenomics microbiome next-generation sequencing virome virus

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Published on: December 22, 2014

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Last Updated: May 9, 2026

Protocols for Investigating the Host-tissue Distribution, Transmission-mode, and Effect on the Host Fitness of a Densovirus in the Cotton Bollworm

Protocols for Investigating the Host-tissue Distribution, Transmission-mode, and Effect on the Host Fitness of a Densovirus in the Cotton Bollworm

Published on: April 12, 2017

Purifying the Impure: Sequencing Metagenomes and Metatranscriptomes from Complex Animal-associated Samples

Purifying the Impure: Sequencing Metagenomes and Metatranscriptomes from Complex Animal-associated Samples

Published on: December 22, 2014

Area of Science:

Virology
Microbiome Research
Human Health

Background:

The human virome, comprising all viruses within the human body, is a key component of the microbiome.
Its precise composition, variability, and role in health and disease remain largely unknown.
The impact of the virome on human health warrants further investigation, similar to the bacterial microbiome.

Purpose of the Study:

To review recent advancements in understanding the human virome.
To highlight emerging questions regarding virome composition and function.
To discuss the implications of the human virome for health and disease.

Main Methods:

Review of current scientific literature.
Analysis of recent findings on virome composition and function.
Discussion of the role of next-generation sequencing (NGS) in virome research.

Main Results:

The human virome's composition and variability are not fully characterized.
The virome's influence on human health, both in homeostasis and disease, is increasingly recognized as significant.
Next-generation sequencing (NGS) is a critical tool driving progress in virome research.

Conclusions:

Further research is essential to elucidate the human virome's role in health and disease.
Rapid advancements in sequencing technologies are expected to accelerate our understanding of the virome.
The human virome is a crucial area of study with significant implications for human well-being.