The reconstruction of 2,631 draft metagenome-assembled genomes from the global oceans

Microorganisms play a crucial role in mediating global biogeochemical cycles in the marine environment. By reconstructing the genomes of environmental organisms through metagenomics, researchers are able to study the metabolic potential of Bacteria and Archaea that are resistant to isolation in the laboratory. Utilizing the large metagenomic dataset generated from 234 samples collected during the Tara Oceans circumnavigation expedition, we were able to assemble 102 billion paired-end reads into 562 million contigs, which in turn were co-assembled and consolidated in to 7.2 million contigs >= 2 kb in length. Approximately 1 million of these contigs were binned to reconstruct draft genomes. In total, 2,631 draft genomes with an estimated completion of >= 50% were generated (1,491 draft genomes >70% complete; 603 genomes >90% complete). A majority of the draft genomes were manually assigned phylogeny based on sets of concatenated phylogenetic marker genes and/or 16S rRNA gene sequences. The draft genomes are now publically available for the research community at-large. Design Type(s) sequence assembly objective center dot sequence-based phylogenetic analysis objective center dot species comparison design Measurement Type(s) metagenomics analysis Technology Type(s) DNA sequencing Factor Type(s) size fractionation center dot sampling depth center dot geographic location Sample Characteristic(s) marine metagenome center dot Mediterranean Sea center dot aquatic biome center dot Red Sea center dot Arabian Sea center dot Indian Ocean center dot East Madagascar Current center dot South Atlantic Ocean center dot Humboldt Current center dot South Pacific Ocean center dot North Pacific Ocean center dot North Atlantic Ocean