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Monolayers of cultured cells are incubated with a preparation of virus to allow adsorption to cells. After removal of the inoculum, the cells are covered with nutrient medium containing a supplement, most commonly agar, that results in the formation of a gel. When the original infected cells release new progeny viruses, their spread to neighboring uninfected cells is restricted by the gel. As a result, each infectious particle produces a circular zone of infected cells, or plaque.

These plaques can be detected visually; however, they are not always visible to the naked eye. Sometimes they can only be seen through a Microscope , or using techniques such as staining or Immunofluorescence . In addition, special computer systems have been designed with the ability to scan samples in batches.


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