Metagenomic Analysis of the Microbial Community Associated with Karenia Brevis Blooms in the Gulf of Mexico
Library PreparationThe sequencing library was prepared using the Nextera XT DNA Library Preparation Kit (Illumina), following the manufacturer's instructions. This method involves fragmenting the DNA enzymatically, adding adaptors through a limited-cycle PCR, and purifying the library. The Nextera XT kit allows for the efficient preparation of high-quality libraries from nanogram quantities of DNA, making it suitable for environmental samples where DNA yield can be limited.SequencingThe prepared libraries were sequenced on an Illumina NovaSeq 6000 platform, utilizing a paired-end sequencing strategy with a read length of 2x150 bp. This sequencing technology was chosen for its high throughput and accuracy, enabling comprehensive coverage of the diverse microbial community present in the bloom samples.