Abstract
An average volume of 1.1 x 10⁻⁶ uliter of TMV suspension was microinjected into a single tobacco cells in culture using a glass capillary micro-needle. All cells produced virus crystals when injected with 620 to 2730 characteristics TMV particles. One of the two cells showed infection after injection with 310 to 1365 characteristic TMV particles and only one of four cells were infected after injection with 62 to 273 characteristic TMV particles. Cell injections at lower concentrations produced no signs of infection. The average volume of virus suspension injected was calculated from 20 volumes of virus injections. It was determined by spectrophotometric absorption that an average of 64 characteristic particles were injected at 10 ⁻² TMV dilution. It was also determined by direct particle count compared to a known concentration of polystyrene latex that an average of 273 characteristic particles was injected in a cell at 10⁻² dilution. From a microvolume (1x10⁻⁶ uliter) containing a 10 ⁻² TMV dilution, placed on a slot grid, four replicates showed an average of 72 characteristic TMV particles injected. Cell variability to TMV infection among cells in culture appears to be of little importance since all cells injected with 620 to 2730 TMV particles became infected. Microinjection of individual cells with known concentration of virus appears to be the best method available to determine the number of virus particles required for infection.
Gazaway, William Sherrill (1973). The minimum infectious concentration of tobacco mosaic virus required to cause infection in a single cultured cell of Nicotiana tabacum cv. Samsun. Texas A&M University. Texas A&M University. Libraries. Available electronically from
https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /DISSERTATIONS -154579.