Domestication of Eucaryotic Microalgal Viruses from Marine Environments

Despite the recent interest in viruses infecting eucaryotic marine microalgae, only 7 viruses infecting marine phytoplankton have been isolated so far. It is therefore worth reviewing isolation techniques and rationalizing the method for obtaining novel microalgal viruses. I consider 7 steps as critical in the isolation procedure: (1) selection of the target host alga, (2) preparation of target host cultures, (3) collection of sample water for virus isolation, (4) treatment of sample water, (5) screening procedures, (6) cloning and cleaning-up of the isolated viruses and (7) storage and maintenance. In the present review, several observations that may lead to more effective isolation procedures are discussed with regard to (1)~(7).