(de-news.net) – Researchers at Friedrich Schiller University Jena, in collaboration with international partners, have developed an advanced computational tool designed to markedly enhance the efficiency of viral genetic analysis. The software, termed Vclust, is capable of processing millions of viral genomes within a matter of hours by clustering them according to genetic similarity. The invention represents a significant advancement, addressing a previously unmet need for robust methodologies capable of comparing and classifying large-scale metagenomic datasets.

Vclust integrates three functions: the identification of genetically similar viral genomes, the computation of genetic concordance, and the automated organization of genomes into coherent clusters. Offered as open-source software and accessible through a web-based interface, Vclust holds considerable potential for facilitating the systematic cataloging of novel viral species and supporting a wide range of biomedical research endeavors. The development of the tool was supported by the “Balance of the Microverse” Excellence Cluster.