title: Clinical and biological insights from viral genome sequencing.
abstract: Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of pathogens is becoming increasingly important not only for basic research but also for clinical science and practice. In virology, WGS is important for the development of novel treatments and vaccines, and for increasing the power of molecular epidemiology and evolutionary genomics. In this Opinion article, we suggest that WGS of viruses in a clinical setting will become increasingly important for patient care. We give an overview of different WGS methods that are used in virology and summarize their advantages and disadvantages. Although there are only partially addressed technical, financial and ethical issues in regard to the clinical application of viral WGS, this technique provides important insights into virus transmission, evolution and pathogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, UK; and the Division of Biological Anthropology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3QG, UK.
authors.forename: Charlotte J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Houldcroft
authors.affiliation: Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK; and The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK.
authors.forename: Mathew A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Beale
authors.affiliation: Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK; and at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London WC1N 3JH, UK.
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Breuer
mesh_terms: D001483:Base Sequence; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D016679:Genome, Viral / Q000235:genetics*; D059014:High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing; D006801:Humans; D017720:Molecular Epidemiology; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy / Q000635:transmission
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral; D012367:RNA, Viral