The Role of Viruses in Marine Environments

In the last decade, research on marine viruses has emerged as a significant and distinct field in marine biology. The development of advanced metagenomic sequencing methods, analyses pipelines, and tools has led to an increased understanding of the community dynamics of viruses in the marine ecosystem. Besides, novel approaches for linking viruses and microbial hosts in natural communities are emerging, such as microfluidic digital PCR, which allows for the simultaneous detection of virus and host marker genes in cells isolated from microfluidic chambers. Nonetheless, there are still significant knowledge gaps in the study of viruses found in marine environments. Furthermore, the diversity of viruses, virus-host interactions, virus roles in global biogeochemical cycles, and biosafety risks associated with viruses are also areas of continuous interest and investigation in the marine ecosystem.

The diversity and quantity of viruses in the ocean are enormous. Viruses are important contributors in regulating the balance of the marine ecosystem. They are also regarded as important biological resources. This Research Topic aims to provide a platform to advance the study of the marine virus. This Research Topic will provide comprehensive insights into the study of marine viruses by investigating virus-host interactions in the ocean, the relationship between viruses and marine ecosystems, the exploitation of marine virus resources, and the influence on human health, etc.

This Research Topic welcomes the following sub-topics, but is not limited to:

1. Interaction between phage and bacteria in the ocean
2. Interaction between viruses and eukaryotes in the ocean
3. The role of viruses in the biogeochemical cycle of marine ecosystem
4. The role of viruses in the energy flow of marine ecosystem
5. Marine virus and biological resources development
6. Marine virus and human health
7. New technological advancements for studying marine viruses