Virology: The next generation from digital PCR to single virion genomics

Publication date: Available online 1 October 2015 Source:Methods in Microbiology Author(s): Richard Allen White, Jessica N. Brazelton de Cárdenas, Randall T. Hayden In the past 25 years, virology has had major technology breakthroughs stemming first from the introduction of nucleic acid amplification testing, but more recently from the use of next-generation sequencing, digital PCR, and the possibility of single virion genomics. These technologies have and will improve diagnosis and disease state monitoring in clinical settings, aid in environmental monitoring, and reveal the vast genetic potential of viruses. Using the principle of limiting dilution, digital PCR amplifies single molecules of DNA in highly partitioned endpoint reactions and reads each of those reactions as either positive or negative based on the presence or absence of target fluorophore. In this review, digital PCR will be highlighted along with current studies, advantages/disadvantages, and future perspectives with regard to digital PCR, viral load testing, and the possibility of single virion genomics.

Source: Methods in Microbiology - October 2, 2015 Category: Microbiology Source Type: research