Diagnosis of samples using molecular hybridization

Molecular hybridisation uses DNA or RNA probes that are specific for the sequence of viral nucleic acids. It is not always possible to perform an ELISA test for a certain pathogen, simply because there are no antibodies available, or the presence of viral proteins is extremely low or absent. However, molecular hybridization is at least as sensitive as ELISA tests and enables us to make use of our own technology.

The use of molecular probes is more complex than the ELISA technique and needs to be adapted to each type of virus and plant. Generally, samples are bound to a nylon membrane either by direct application of sap or of plant nucleic acid extracts. The detection of the viral nucleic acids is revealed after a well developed process.

Molecular probes are synthesized in our laboratory based on the viral sequences either established in our lab or obtained from different scientific databases. In each test, positive and negative controls are included.

 

	►Detection of ToCV infected tomato plants by molecular hybridization