Volume 8 Number 1 2025
Viral Metagenomics: Analyzing the virome in different ecosystems and its impact on microbial communities
Anwar Shalan F. 1*, Samah Hussein Kadhim 1
Microbial Bioactives 8 (1) 1-8 https://doi.org/10.25163/microbbioacts.8110371
Submitted: 03 January 2025 Revised: 16 February 2025 Published: 18 February 2025
Abstract
Background: Viral metagenomics is an emerging field that enables comprehensive analysis of viral populations in diverse ecosystems. High-throughput sequencing has revealed that viruses are the most abundant biological entities on Earth, profoundly influencing microbial community dynamics and ecosystem functioning. Methods: This review synthesizes findings from viral metagenomic studies conducted across marine, soil, and human-associated habitats. Data from next-generation sequencing and bioinformatic pipelines were examined to assess viral diversity, abundance, and their ecological roles in microbial regulation, nutrient cycling, and host interactions. Results: Marine ecosystems harbor remarkable viral diversity, with approximately 15,000 viral genotypes per milliliter of seawater, regulating bacterial populations and contributing to global nutrient and carbon cycling. In soil, an estimated 10 viral particles per gram shape microbial interactions, influencing nutrient turnover and plant health. Within the human microbiome, trillions of viruses, particularly bacteriophages, modulate microbial composition and may affect host health by altering microbial dynamics. Discussion: The virome’s diversity and ecological influence highlight viruses as key regulators of microbial communities. Their roles extend beyond predation to genetic exchange and ecosystem resilience. Insights from viral metagenomics also carry applied significance for agriculture, environmental sustainability, and human health interventions. Conclusion: Viral metagenomics continues to expand our understanding of ecosystems by uncovering the hidden virosphere. By elucidating viral diversity and their interactions with microbial hosts, this field underscores viruses’ fundamental roles in shaping ecological balance and human well-being.
Keywords: Viral metagenomics, Virome, Microbial communities, Ecosystems, Human microbiome
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