Flow virometry for water-quality assessment: Protocol optimization for a model virus and automation of data analysis

Flow virometry (FVM) can support advanced water treatment and reuse by
delivering near real-time information about viral water quality. But
maximizing the potential of FVM in water treatment and reuse applications
requires protocols to facilitate data validation and interlaboratory
comparison—as well as approaches to protocol design to extend the suite of
viruses that FVM can feasibly and efficiently monitor. In the npj Clean
Water article “Flow virometry for water-quality assessment: Protocol
optimization for a model virus and automation of data analysis,” we
address these needs by first optimizing a sample-preparation protocol for
a model virus (T4 bacteriophage) using a fractional factorial experimental
design. We then compare manual and algorithmic methods of analyzing
complex FCM data collected by applying the optimized protocol to (i) a
clean solution spiked with a variety of biological and non-biological
viral surrogates [mixed-target experiment], and (ii) tertiary treated
wastewater effluent spiked with T4 bacteriophage and two sizes of
fluorescent polystyrene beads [environmental spike experiment]. This
repository contains the FCM data used to develop the optimized protocol
and to test the two analytical methods.