A new group of bacteriophages is revealed

Researchers, Bischoff et al. (2019), were able to isolate and sequence viruses found within bacterial samples collected from the North Sea. Over 5,000 marine metagenomes from across the globe, including data from TARA ocean and Malaspina expeditions, were then screened for their presence. Through this, three genera of Rhodobacteraceae were revealed to host a newly found group of phages – called Cobaviruses. These bacteriophages appear to be relatively ubiquitous within tropical and temperate regions. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that the group may even warrant placement within a newly proposed subfamily and genus, within the Podoviridae family.

Cobaviruses could regulate dynamics within Rhodobacteraceae populations. As Rhodobacteraceae represent one of the most abundant and diverse groups of bacteria within the ocean, viruses may have more influence on our oceans than previously thought. Future research aiming to understand this relationship could shed light on the complex microbial interactions occurring here.

Whilst several genomes within the study remain incomplete, likely due to difficulties they had with sequencing, this study remains an insightful first glimpse at this new bacteriophage. Phages, and the lysin enzymes they produce, can also be studied and used as an alternative to antibiotic treatments, potentially opening new avenues for medical research.

Bischoff, V., Bunk, B., Meier-Kolthoff, J.P., Spröer, C., Poehlein, A., Dogs, M., Nguyen, M., Petersen, J., Daniel, R., Overmann, J., Göker, M., Simon, M., Thorsten Brinkhoff, T., & Moraru, C. (2019). Cobaviruses – a new globally distributed phage group infecting Rhodobacteraceae in marine ecosystems. ISME Journal, 13, 1404–1421.