Viral concentration determination through plaque assays: using traditional and novel overlay systems

A Baer, K Kehn-Hall - JoVE (Journal of Visualized Experiments), 2014 - jove.com
Plaque assays remain one of the most accurate methods for the direct quantification of
infectious virons and antiviral substances through the counting of discrete plaques
(infectious units and cellular dead zones) in cell culture. Here we demonstrate how to
perform a basic plaque assay, and how differing overlays and techniques can affect plaque
formation and production. Typically solid or semisolid overlay substrates, such as agarose or
carboxymethyl cellulose, have been used to restrict viral spread, preventing indiscriminate …