A random priming amplification method for whole genome sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 virus

Non-targeted whole genome sequencing is a powerful tool to comprehensively identify constituents of microbial communities in a sample. There is no need to direct the analysis to any identification before sequencing which can decrease the introduction of bias and false negatives results. In this study the performance of four different random priming amplification methods to recover RNA viral genetic material of SARS-CoV-2 were compared. The SISPA method was the most effective and efficient method for non-targeted/random priming whole genome sequencing of COVID SARS-CoV-2 that we tested. The SISPA method described in this study allowed for whole genome assembly of SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 in mixed samples.