Total RNA metagenomic sequencing of Drosophila melanogaster and simulans archived specimens.

Current virological research focuses on viruses of human, animal and plant importance however as access to genetic sequencing has becomes accessible our understanding of the diversity of RNA viruses has exploded. This has highlighted a gap in our understanding of persistent viral infection and the interactions that occur between virus and host. We therefore took a metagenomic approach to study a common persistent viral infection in Drosophila melanogaster in a historic context. RNA from D. melanogaster and D. simulans museum specimens was extracted and subjected to total RNA metagenomic sequencing. Viral sequences were identified from the reads and used to create complete viral genomes. These genomes were then used to generate phylogenetic trees with contemporary sequences to study how the viruses are evolving over time. With these data the use entomological museum specimens was established as a source to study RNA in a historic context.