Main menu

Long-read assays shed new light on the transcriptome complexity of a viral pathogen


Characterization of global transcriptomes using conventional short-read sequencing is challenging due to the insensitivity of these platforms to transcripts isoforms, multigenic RNA molecules, and transcriptional overlaps. Long-read sequencing (LRS) can overcome these limitations by reading full-length transcripts. Employment of these technologies has led to the redefinition of transcriptional complexities in reported organisms.

In this study, we applied LRS platforms from Pacific Biosciences and Oxford Nanopore Technologies to profile the vaccinia virus (VACV) transcriptome.

We performed cDNA and direct RNA sequencing analyses and revealed an extremely complex transcriptional landscape of this virus. In particular, VACV genes produce large numbers of transcript isoforms that vary in their start and termination sites. A significant fraction of VACV transcripts start or end within coding regions of neighbouring genes. This study provides new insights into the transcriptomic profile of this viral pathogen.

Authors: Dóra Tombácz, István Prazsák, Zsolt Csabai, Norbert Moldován, Béla Dénes, Michael Snyder, Zsolt Boldogkői

Getting started

Buy a MinION starter pack Nanopore store Sequencing service providers Channel partners

Quick links

Intellectual property Cookie policy Corporate reporting Privacy policy Terms & conditions Accessibility

About Oxford Nanopore

Contact us News Media resources & contacts Investor centre Careers BSI 27001 accreditationBSI 90001 accreditationBSI mark of trust
Spanish flag