A Systematic Review of Viral Metagenomics and Its Ecological and Human Health Implications

Abdullah Ibrahim Al Sheikh Mubarak ¹*, Dema Abdullah Ahmed Alodaini ², Magda Mohamed Aly ³

Viral metagenomics reveals hidden viral diversity, highlighting their crucial roles in ecosystem stability, nutrient cycling, and human health.

Abstract

Viral metagenomics has revolutionized how we perceive the invisible viral world that permeates every corner of our planet—from the depths of the ocean to the human gut. This systematic review explores how the field’s rapid advancements, powered by next-generation sequencing, have revealed viruses as dynamic architects of microbial life and ecosystem stability. In marine environments, an astonishing abundance of viral genotypes orchestrates microbial turnover and drives nutrient and carbon cycling, shaping the very foundation of oceanic food webs. Similarly, in soils, viruses influence microbial diversity and nutrient flux, indirectly supporting plant health and agricultural productivity. Within the human body, the virome—dominated by bacteriophages—acts as an unseen regulator of the microbiome, influencing digestion, immunity, and even disease progression. By synthesizing evidence from diverse habitats, this review highlights the intricate ecological and biological relationships that viruses maintain with their microbial hosts. Beyond their destructive image, viruses emerge as essential participants in maintaining ecological balance, enabling genetic exchange, and enhancing ecosystem resilience. The growing insights from viral metagenomics not only deepen our understanding of the natural world but also open new frontiers for biotechnology, environmental conservation, and personalized medicine. Ultimately, the hidden virosphere offers a reminder that life’s smallest agents often hold the greatest influence over the planet’s health and humanity’s well-being.

Keywords: Viral metagenomics, Virome, Microbial communities, Ecosystem dynamics, Human microbiome, Environmental sustainability

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