A deeper view of transmitted/founder viruses using 454 whole genome deep sequencing

Background Understanding the composition of transmitted/founder viruses that represent the primary target for vaccineelicited responses is highly relevant to the design of an effective HIV-1 vaccine. The identification of transmitted and early founder viruses in primary infection has remained remarkably opaque, but recent advances in sequencing technologies have enabled a more comprehensive and sensitive assessment of the properties of transmitted/founder viruses.