Going to extremes – a metagenomic journey into the dark matter of life
Authors: Aevarsson Arnthór , Kaczorowska Anna-Karina , Adalsteinsson Björn Thor , Ahlqvist Josefin , Al-Karadaghi Salam , Altenbuchner Joseph , Arsin Hasan , Átlasson Úlfur Áugúst , Brandt David , Cichowicz-Cieślak Magdalena , Cornish Katy A S , Courtin Jérémy , Dabrowski Slawomir , Dahle Håkon , Djeffane Samia , Dorawa Sebastian , Dusaucy Julia , Enault Francois , Fedøy Anita-Elin , Freitag-Pohl Stefanie , Fridjonsson Olafur H , Galiez Clovis , Glomsaker Eirin , Guérin Mickael , Gundesø Sigurd E , Gudmundsdóttir Elisabet E , Gudmundsson Hördur , Håkansson Maria , Henke Christian , Helleux Alexandra , Henriksen Jørn Remi , Hjörleifdóttir Sigrídur , Hreggvidsson Gudmundur O , Jasilionis Andrius , Jochheim Annika , Jónsdóttir Ilmur , Jónsdóttir Lilja Björk , Jurczak-Kurek Agata , Kaczorowski Tadeusz , Kalinowski Jörn , Kozlowski Lukasz P , Krupovic Mart , Kwiatkowska-Semrau Karolina , Lanes Olav , Lange Joanna , Lebrat Julien , Linares-Pastén Javier , Liu Ying , Lorentsen Steffen A , Lutterman Tobias , Mas Thibaud , Merré William , Mirdita Milot , Morzywołek Agnieszka , Ndela Eric Olo , Karlsson Eva Nordberg , Olgudóttir Edda , Pedersen Cathrine , Perler Francine , Pétursdóttir Sólveig K , Plotka Magdalena , Pohl Ehmke , Prangishvili David , Ray Jessica L , Reynisson Birkir , Róbertsdóttir Tara , Sandaa Ruth-Anne , Sczyrba Alexander , Skírnisdóttir Sigurlaug , Söding Johannes , Solstad Terese , Steen Ida H , Stefánsson Sigmar Karl , Steinegger Martin , Overå Katrine Stange , Striberny Bernd , Svensson Anders , Szadkowska Monika , Tarrant Emma J , Terzian Paul , Tourigny Mathilde , Bergh Tom van den , Vanhalst Justine , Vincent Jonathan , Vroling Bas , Walse Björn , Wang Lei , Watzlawick Hildegard , Welin Martin , Werbowy Olesia , Wons Ewa , Zhang Ruoshi 
Published: June 2021

ABSTRACTThe Virus-X—Viral Metagenomics for Innovation Value—project was a scientific expedition to explore and exploit uncharted territory of genetic diversity in extreme natural environments such as geothermal hot springs and deep-sea ocean ecosystems. Specifically, the project was set to analyse and exploit viral metagenomes with the ultimate goal of developing new gene products with high innovation value for applications in biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical, and the life science sectors. Viral gene pool analysis is also essential to obtain fundamental insight into ecosystem dynamics and to investigate how viruses influence the evolution of microbes and multicellular organisms. The Virus-X Consortium, established in 2016, included experts from eight European countries. The unique approach based on high throughput bioinformatics technologies combined with structural and functional studies resulted in the development of a biodiscovery pipeline of significant capacity and scale. The activities within the Virus-X consortium cover the entire range from bioprospecting and methods development in bioinformatics to protein production and characterisation, with the final goal of translating our results into new products for the bioeconomy. The significant impact the consortium made in all of these areas was possible due to the successful cooperation between expert teams that worked together to solve a complex scientific problem using state-of-the-art technologies as well as developing novel tools to explore the virosphere, widely considered as the last great frontier of life.