Application of next-generation sequencing technologies in virology.
The progress of science is punctuated by the advent of revolutionary technologies that provide new ways and scales to formulate scientific questions and advance knowledge. Following on from electron microscopy, cell culture and PCR, next-generation sequencing is one of these methodologies that is now changing the way that we understand viruses, particularly in the areas of genome sequencing, evolution, ecology, discovery and transcriptomics. Possibilities for these methodologies are only limited by our scientific imagination and, to some extent, by their cost, which has restricted their use to relatively small numbers of samples. Challenges remain, including the storage and analysis of the large amounts of data generated. As the chemistries employed mature, costs will decrease. In addition, improved methods for analysis will become available, opening yet further applications in virology including routine diagnostic work on individuals, and new understanding of the interaction between viral and host transcriptomes. An exciting era of viral exploration has begun, and will set us new challenges to understand the role of newly discovered viral diversity in both disease and health.
University of Liverpool, Institute of Infection and Global Health, Leahurst Campus, Chester High Road, Neston, South Wirral CH64 7TE, UK.
Alan D
AD
Radford
Institute for Animal Health, Pirbright Laboratory, Ash Road, Pirbright, Woking, Surrey GU24 0NF, UK.
David
D
Chapman
Institute for Animal Health, Pirbright Laboratory, Ash Road, Pirbright, Woking, Surrey GU24 0NF, UK.
Linda
L
Dixon
University of Liverpool, School of Veterinary Science, Leahurst Campus, Chester High Road, Neston, South Wirral CH64 7TE, UK.
Julian
J
Chantrey
Institute of Integrative Biology, Biosciences Building, Crown Street, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZB, UK.
Alistair C
AC
Darby
Institute of Integrative Biology, Biosciences Building, Crown Street, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZB, UK.
Neil
N
Hall
D000818:Animals; D059014:High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA / Q000379:methods*; D014773:Virology / Q000379:methods*; D014780:Viruses / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification