Viral Plaque Assay Kit

Product Description

Cell Biolabs’ Viral Plaque Assay Kit provides an accurate system to functionally titer lytic virus infectivity. The kit provides sufficient reagents for up to 120 titrations in a 12-well plate. 

Plaque assays require cultured cells susceptible to infection by the virus of interest. The cells are first seeded onto a surface they can adhere to and grow on, then left overnight to form a confluent monolayer. A virus sample is then diluted several times, and an aliquot of each dilution is added to a dish or well of cells. An incubation period allows the virus to attach to target cells before removing the inoculum. The culture is then covered with a medium containing nutrients, plus a substance, such as agarose or methylcellulose, that forms a gel or semisolid overlay. Infectious virus particles that enter cells and replicate can then trigger the release of progeny virions. The gel restricts particle movement so that newly produced viruses can only infect neighboring cells. When the virus kills infected cells, the dead (or dying) cells detach and create a hole in the cell monolayer. This area devoid of cells is called a plaque and appears as circular spots on the growth surface.

Plaque development can be monitored under a Light Microscope.