title: A critical examination of the utilisation of serum coated grids to increase particle numbers for length determination of rod-shaped plant viruses.
abstract: In this report we examined the use of immuno-electron microscopy (IEM) as a method of obtaining a higher density of particles on a grid for measurement purposes. We examined the use for rod-shaped plant viruses and found that IEM does change the observed population of particles by producing a much higher proportion of small particles than is seen under conditions of negatively stained sap preparations (e.g. leaf-dip techniques). The results clearly indicate that the technique of IEM is not suitable as a means of increasing particle numbers for length distribution determinations.
mesh_terms: D007158:Immunologic Techniques; D008854:Microscopy, Electron / Q000379:methods; D010942:Plant Viruses / Q000648:ultrastructure*