Question

How do we determine the best phage concentration to use to amplify our phage by the 10-plate method?

Answer 1

The 10-plate method is a series of serial dilution method by up to 10 times which helps in determining best phage concentration that amplifies the phage. It helps in counting and measuring the level of infection by the bacteriophages. This helps in measuring the ability of single infectious virus that is able to form the plaque. The plaque assay helps in tittering bacteriophage and helps in determining best phage concentration. It helps in visualizing the plaques when there is an actively growing population. The plaque define an initial infection as it leads to lysis of the bacteria that is close to it.

There is 10-fold dilution of the virus made for the plaque assay and after the incubation is over, the virus attach to the cell and grow on the nutrient medium. The infected cells are lysed and leads to release of the viral progeny. This leads to spreading of the new viruses to neighboring cells with each of the infectious cell producing plaque which is a circular zone. This helps in identifying the area or region where there is amplification of the viral bacteriophage.