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Organized Oral Session

Session: : Virus Ecology: Emerging Ideas and Practical Applications

OOS 58-5 - CANCELLED - Mitigating inherent biases introduced during viral metagenome analyses of environmental samples

Thursday, August 10, 2023
11:00 AM – 11:15 AM PDT
Location: 258
Molecular techniques from PCR to metagenomics can detect specific viruses as well as characterize viral community composition in environmental samples. However, sample collection, concentration, and nucleic acid extraction procedures can introduce biases that impact the accuracy and precision of detecting and estimating viral abundance and community structure. In this study, we explored the inherent variabilities introduced during laboratory analyses of wastewater samples and evaluated steps to improve characterization of viral community structure. Specifically, sample concentration and enrichment steps along with nucleic acid extraction and whole genome amplification techniques were assessed. Characterization of recovery rates and potential biases introduced at the different sample processing steps revealed effective approaches for improving viral metagenomic analyses.