Analysis of Individual Viral Particles by Flow Virometry

Abstract

This review focuses on the emerging field of flow virometry, the study and characterization of individual viral particles using flow cytometry instruments and protocols optimized for the detection of nanoscale events. Flow virometry faces considerable technical challenges including minimal light scattering by small viruses that complicates detection, coincidental detection of multiple small particles due to their high concentrations, and challenges with sample preparation including the inability to easily “wash” samples to remove unbound fluorescent antibodies. We will discuss how the field has overcome these challenges to reveal novel insights into viral biology.

Keywords

• flow virometry
• nanoscale flow cytometry
• viral quantification
• viral sorting