Separating viruses from complex assemblages for more efficient characterization

What is it about?

We tested a variety methods for purifying viruses from natural microbial communities and for separating different virus types from one another. The effectiveness of the methods was evaluated and recommendations of the most effective methods are given.

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Why is it important?

Traditional methods for studying the genetic diversity of viruses in natural communities end up throwing away lots of valuable information, because the viruses are broken apart and their genetic material all scrambled together in one pot. With this study we evaluate methods by which different types of viruses can be separated from one another which improves the quality and quantity of information we can glean from a viral assemblage.