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Metagenomics applied to environmental viral communities
Simon Roux1, Didier Debroas1, François Enault1
1Clermont université, université Blaise-Pascal, laboratoire micro-organismes : génome et environnement, 24, avenue des Landais, 63171 Aubière, France, CNRS, UMR 6023, laboratoire micro-organismes : génome et environnement, 63171 Aubière, France.
Virologie (Montrouge, France)
|January 9, 2020
Summary
Viral metagenomics reveals vast, unknown viral genetic diversity in Earth's environments. Most viruses discovered are novel, highlighting the need for extensive viral surveys to understand their ecological roles.
Area of Science:
- Environmental microbiology
- Virology
- Genomics
Background:
- Viruses are abundant and diverse biological entities influencing biogeochemical cycles and microbial populations.
- Viruses play a crucial role in the evolution of cellular genomes.
- Viral metagenomics offers new insights into viral diversity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the genetic richness and diversity of viral communities in environmental samples.
- To assess the novelty of viral sequences compared to existing databases.
- To emphasize the need for further viral diversity characterization.
Main Methods:
- Viral metagenomics: random sequencing of viral nucleic acids from environmental samples.
- Analysis of viral genetic sequences to determine diversity and novelty.
- Comparison of obtained sequences with existing viral databases.
Main Results:
- Environmental viral communities exhibit overwhelming genetic diversity.
- Marine environments show particularly high viral genetic richness.
- Most sequenced viral genomes are novel and distant from database references.
Conclusions:
- The vast majority of the virosphere remains unknown to science.
- Environmental niche is a primary factor shaping viral community composition.
- Continued efforts in surveying and characterizing viral diversity are essential.
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