Research in the Suttle laboratory is primarily focussed on viruses and their role in the environment. The work ranges from the characterization of viruses isolated from the environment to quatifiying the role of viruses in microbial mortality and nutrient cycling. The techniques employed range from nucleic-acid sequencing to oceanographic sampling. Some current projects are examining viruses and their roles in the oceans, high Arctic, deep mines, aeolian dust, lakes and migratory-bird ponds.