New method reveals diverse marine viruses with unusual DNA

A new method allows for faster, cheaper, and more efficient genomic sequencing of individual cells and viral particles in environmental samples. This "environmental microcompartment genomics" approach significantly increases the number of particles that can be analyzed, revealing a greater diversity of marine viruses with unusual DNA structures. The technique, detailed in Nature Microbiology, offers a more holistic view of microbial communities, including those previously difficult to study due to particle size or composition.