Protocol for the isolation, sequencing, and analysis of the gut phageome from human fecal samples

The phage-bacteria interactions in the gut microbiome are critical for health and disease, but viruses of the human gut microbiome are poorly understood. Here, we present a simple and cost-efficient protocol for collecting viral-like particles (VLPs) from human fecal samples. We describe VLPs quantification using epifluorescence and TEM microscopy, followed by DNA sequencing and bioinformatics analysis. This protocol characterizes the gut phageome in normal-weight and obese children with metabolic syndrome. It is also suitable to conduct high-throughput studies for other diseases. For complete details on the use and execution of this profile, please refer to Bikel et al. (2021).