Bacteriophages and Auxiliary Metabolic Genes of Chesapeake ​and Delaware Bays ​

Combining genomics, metagenome and metatranscriptome we study virome taxonomy, auxillary metabolic genes, host prediction and comparison with existing viral data.

Background

Viruses play an essential role in ecosystem homeostasis via expression of auxiliary metabolic genes (AMGs), encoding proteins for the same metabolic functions of their hosts that support viral replication and the resulting release of nutrients to the broader microbial community.

Therefore, the acquisition of AMGs likely supports the marine microbial community in adaption to ecosystem fluctuations and climate change. We analyzed viruses and assemblies of 20 seasonal metagenomes and metatranscriptomes from surface waters of the Chesapeake and Delaware Bays to determine the taxonomy and abundance of both DNA and RNA viruses, and the identity of AMGs present.

Here, we used metagenomics and metatranscriptomics of 20 seasonal samples to determine the taxonomy and abundance of both DNA and RNA viruses, and the identity of AMGs present and compare it with alreday available viral data from same sampling locations.

Relevant Publications

under preparation

Abstracts

Barbara J. Campbell, Kasey Kiser, Sam Stuckert and Jojy John (2025) Bacteriophages and Auxiliary Metabolic Gene interactions in microbial adaptations in the Chesapeake and Delaware Bay, ASM 25, LA, USA

References