Purification and Separation of Tobacco Mosaic Virus and Southern Bean Mosaic Virus by Agar-gel Filtration

Abstract

MOST procedures for the purification and concentration of viruses involve either dense packing of virus particles by sedimentation or by chemical or isoelectric precipitation. Although many viruses can be resuspended easily from pellets or precipitates, others are difficult to resuspend and to separate from contaminants following such treatment. In order to avoid this difficulty we have sought to develop virus purification and concentration procedures which: (1) are very gentle to the virus, allowing it to be retained in suspension throughout the procedures used; (2) require only limited amounts of inexpensive equipment; (3) are capable of handling large volumes; (4) are rapidly and easily accomplished.