Virioplankton metagenome collected across the Chesapeake Bay. marine metagenome

Viruses within large volume water samples collected across the Chesapeake in September, 2002 were concentrated into a small volume. DNA from the viral concentrate was randomly sheared and PCR-amplified after the addition of linkers to either end of the sheared products. A small insert library (~2-3 kb DNA inserts) was constructed from this linker amplified DNA by Lucigen Corporation (Middleton, WI) using a vector (pSMART) that prevents transcription of insert DNA. From this library ~2,900 clones were bi-directionally sequenced generating ~4.4 Mb of DNA sequence data. Preliminary analyses indicate that the library contains an astoundingly high proportion (~70%) of sequences with no known homologs. This an other evidence indicates that natural viral communities contain the highest proportion of unknown genetic diversity on earth. Free viruses, virioplankton, are extraordinarily abundant in marine environments. Estuarine waters such as those of the Chesapeake bay typically contain 10 billion virus particles per liter. Often up to 50% of bacterial cells within marine ecosystems are infected by viruses. Moreover, viruses are responsible for altering the genetic capabilities of their microbial hosts. Thus, the activities of viruses play a significant role in shaping the productivity, composition and diversity of marine microbial communities. EI103240-EI108880 are genomic sequences (GSS) derived from this study.