ISOLATION OF VIRALLY-INFECTED INSECT CELLS FROM A POPULATION CONTAINING INFECTED AND UNINFECTED CELLS

A method was developed that can be used to isolate virally-infected in sect cells from a mixed population containing infected and uninfected cells. Specifically, Spodoptera frugiperda Sf-9 cells infected with th e Autographa californica multiple nuclear polyhedrosis virus were trea ted with a primary antibody specific for the gp64 protein present-on t he surface of virally-infected cells and a secondary antibody labeled with a fluorochrome. The resulting labeled cells were isolated by usin g fluorescence-activated cell sorting.