Chapter 2A Electron microscopy: methods for studies of virus particles and virus-infected cells: Methods for ‘structural analysis’ of the virion

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses methods for studies of virus particles and virus-infected cells. Negative staining is one of the most useful methods for the visualization of virus particles and is frequently used in both research and clinical diagnosis. The most useful “negative stains” are those solutions that do not tend to bind with biological structures or interact to cause disruption. The chapter discusses unidirectional shadow-casting with chromium, which is one of the first methods used to increase contrast of viruses in the electron microscope. Low-temperature techniques in virus research are described. The chapter concludes with a discussion on the tactics of structural analysis of viruses. The aim of structural analysis of viruses is to determine the shape, size, surface structure and internal organization of the virion.