Phagenomes
A phagenome is the complete genetic content encoded by bacteriophages, the viruses that infect bacteria. In a strict sense it can refer to the genome of a single phage particle, but in environmental microbiology the term phagenome (or phageome) denotes the collection of phage genomes recovered from a sample such as seawater, soil, or the human gut. Phagenomes are studied to understand phage biology, evolution, and interactions with bacterial hosts.
Phage genomes vary widely. Most bacteriophages have double-stranded DNA genomes, though RNA phages and single-stranded DNA
Life cycles and genes: Temperate phages can integrate into host genomes as prophages during lysogeny, carrying
Ecology and methods: Phagenomes influence microbial community dynamics and horizontal gene transfer, contributing to nutrient cycling