Details - Public Health Image Library(PHIL)

ID#:

22910

Caption:

This image depicted a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) scientist, who was punching holes in a card containing the genes of an inactivated virus . The scientist was using a disposable biopsy punch, expelling the punches into a buffer. The viral genetic material is then separated from the punches, and placed into a solution. Subsequently, the viral RNA is extracted, and subjected to molecular testing. The card itself, is made of a special paper, imbibed with inactivating chemicals, so that when a lab places a viral specimen on the card, if another country needs the CDC to perform a sequencing, the card may be sent, with its inactivated suspect viral specimen. In this way, the genetic material can be left on the card, so it can be shipped to the CDC.