RNA virus identification from the marine heterotrophic protists

Fragmented and primer-Ligated DsRNA Sequencing (FLDS) technology is a dsRNA sequencing method that can retrieve the complete RNA viral genomes. This study focused on marine heterotrophic protists as an untapped resource for RNA virus investigation. Thus, we comprehensively screened RNA viruses using FLDS technology from culturable samples of the protists. The dsRNAs were purified from the cells, and the purified dsRNAs were converted into dsDNA. Resultant dsDNAs were sequenced by the Illumina NovaSeaq6000 platform or Illumina MiSeq platform.