Vector Cell Monolayers and Plant Viruses

This chapter reviews the techniques to culture cells of vector insects to achieve synchronous initiation of infection in many cells and to obtain a sensitive and accurate bioassay. Immunofluorescent staining has been indispensable for the detection of lesions in vector cell monolayers (VCM) caused by three propagative plant viruses. By means of VCM, large populations of cells from vectors of propagative plant viruses were inoculated simultaneously; therefore, synchronous cycles of virus development were studied and a valuable means of investigating the molecular biology and other features of such viruses were provided. The chapter discusses important aspects of different media and deficiencies in the knowledge about them that may lead to fruitful research and consequent improvement in the ability to establish and to grow leafhopper cells in vitro.