Viral Lab Techniques

These flashcards cover key terminology and concepts related to viral lab techniques, cell culture, viral infection processes, and various detection methods used in laboratory settings.

Cell Culture

The unnatural growth of cells under controlled conditions, involving suitable vessels and appropriate medium with essential nutrients.

Monolayer Cell Culture

A cultivation method where cells grow as a single layer adhered to the surface of a culture vessel.

Confluency

The extent to which a culture flask is covered with cells; typically described as low or high density.

Cytopathic Effect (CPE)

Structural changes in a host cell resulting from viral infection, such as lysis of the host cell.

Making a Viral Stock

The process of infecting cells, culturing them under appropriate conditions, and harvesting the virus when CPE appears.

Plaque Assay

A method used to determine the viral titer reported as plaque forming units (PFU)/mL, by allowing virus to infect a cell monolayer.

Multiplicity of Infection (MOI)

The ratio of virus to cells in a given infection plate, important for determining the average number of virions per cell.

Real-time RT PCR

A technique that collects data during the PCR process, allowing for the amplification and detection of target DNA in a single step.

Immunology-based Detection

Methods such as ELISA and Western blot used to detect specific antigens or antibodies in a sample.

Plaque Reduction Neutralization Assay

A test to measure the effectiveness of antibodies in neutralizing viruses by counting the reduction in plaques on a cell culture.