454 Sequencing Helps Identify Herpes-like Viruses That May Contribute to Pandemic Decline of Tropical Reefs

In an effort to determine the influence of viral pathogens in declining coral health, researchers at San Diego State University recently used metagenomic analysis with the Genome Sequencer System from 454 Life Sciences to sequence Porites compressa coral samples under varying environmental stressors. The purpose of the study, led by Dr. Forest Rohwer, was to replicate current ecological changes in tropical reef habitats such as reduced pH, elevated nutrients and increased temperatures to determine their effects on viral populations within the coral. The experiments found highly-abundant levels of a herpes-like viruses in stressed Porites compressa corals. Interestingly, the viral sequences...

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