How do we quantify how much #virus is in a sample (titre). We use a plaque assay, which is why he most commonly used method. Below is a graphical version I've made (on @BioRender) of how it is done in the lab.

But how do they work? - a thread
#SciComm #Virology #phdchat
1/n Here is a photo of a #SARSCoV2 assay, the virus which causes #COVID19 ( Photo: Müller/Charité). The large areas which are clear are known as plaques which are caused by virus killing cells in a monolayer. More plaques = more virus titre

#virology #sciencetwitter

2/n

So how do we test for #COVID19? A thread

#COVID_19 is caused by a virus called #SARSCoV2 which is a non-living particle with genetic material that is surrounded by proteins and lipids that can cause disease. It's spread mainly by coughing and sneezing

1/n @AcademicChatter We swab the nose because of how it spreads. The #coronavirus contains RNA which is it's genetic material that makes it a virus and let's it makes more of itself.

Once we have the swabs we extract this RNA with chemical reagents that leave us just the purified RNA

2/n #COVID19