-PLAVIT-

Group(s) of biological resources stored in the collection: plasmids (including plasmid bearing strains), plant viruses, bacteriophages

The Italian Collection of Plant Viruses PLAVIT (Plant Virus Italy) is based at the Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection (CNR) in Torino and Bari, Italy. It consists of more than 1000 isolates of plant viruses and viroids, originating from several countries and hosts, collected over the last 50 years. PLAVIT is expanding the collection including virus-derived products, like antisera and cloned full-length viral genomes or subviral molecules.

Distribution of virus isolates for research and biotechnological applications. 

Isolation and identification (biological characterization, transmission electron microscopy, genomic sequencing, phylogenetic analysis) of plant viruses and viroids. 

Long term preservation of lyophilized tissues and purified virus particles for safe and public deposit.  

Teaching and training in plant virology.

Consultancy service. 

A continuous effort is dedicated to collect, amplify, characterize, standardize, authenticate, and distribute viruses and viroids and derived products. 

New viruses and their variants are characterized, obtaining and depositing their complete genomic sequences in GenBank. 

Resistant-Breaking strains of agronomically relevant viruses are studied to identify the mutations involved. 

Diagnostic tools, based on amplification methods (PCR, LAMP) or serology (ELISA) are developed. 

PLAVIT has implemented Internal standard operating procedures, following national and international guidelines for the collection and storage of microorganisms (acquisition of ISO certification in progress).