ViralRecall

ViralRecall detects signatures of Nucleo-Cytoplasmic Large DNA Viruses (NCLDV) in genomic and metagenomic datasets to identify sequences derived from giant viruses.

Key Features:

• Curated GVOG library: Uses a curated library of Giant Virus Orthologous Groups (GVOGs) to identify NCLDV-specific sequence signatures.
• NCLDV-focused detection: Tailored to recognize sequences characteristic of Nucleo-Cytoplasmic Large DNA Viruses across highly diverse and sequence-divergent viral families.
• High sensitivity and specificity: Demonstrated ability to identify NCLDV sequences with both high sensitivity and specificity.
• Metagenomic data analysis: Filters contaminating sequences from metagenome-assembled viral genomes to improve viral genome assemblies.
• Eukaryotic genome exploration: Identifies endogenized NCLDV loci within eukaryotic genomes to support studies of host-virus interactions and evolution.
• Implementation: Implemented in Python 3.5.

Scientific Applications:

• Viral diversity surveys: Detects and characterizes NCLDV diversity and distribution in environmental and metagenomic datasets.
• Assembly validation and contamination screening: Identifies and removes NCLDV-derived contaminant sequences from assembled viral genomes.
• Endogenous viral element discovery: Locates NCLDV-derived loci in eukaryotic genomes to study endogenization and host-virus co-evolution.
• Ecosystem and biogeochemical studies: Enables investigation of the ecological roles and potential impacts of NCLDV on biogeochemical cycles.

Methodology:

Matches input sequences against a curated library of Giant Virus Orthologous Groups (GVOGs) to identify NCLDV sequence signatures.