What does VTM mean in LABORATORY

VTM stands for Virus Transportation Medium. It is a liquid solution that contains all the necessary nutrients, buffers and salts to keep viruses alive and active when transported over long distances. This liquid solution helps in preserving the integrity of the viral nucleic acid so that it can be used safely and effectively in scientific research or other applications.

VTM preserves viruses by maintaining an optimal pH level and osmolality. The presence of specific nutrient components, buffers, salts and amino acids provide nourishment for the virus whilst helping to prevent degradation of their nucleic acid which can occur with environmental changes during transportation.

VTM is mainly used for molecular biology applications such as PCR amplification and virus isolation from clinical samples. It is also used in vaccine production and quality control testing. Additionally, VTM may be used for preservation of virions prior to bioinformatic analysis or for antiviral drug discovery research.

No, VTM cannot replace a cell culture medium as it lacks essential elements required for growth or proliferation of cells such as hormones, vitamins and other organic compounds that are not present in a VTM solution.

A wide range of viruses including retroviruses, adenoviruses, herpesviruses, poxiviruses, flaviviruses can be preserved using a suitable VTM depending on the species involved. However, certain enveloped viruses may not survive during extended periods in a given concentration or type of transport medium due to their membrane instability.

Temperature has an important role in determining the stability and viability of viruses preserved in different types of VTMs; hence care should be taken to ensure that temperature fluctuations are kept low during storage/transportation conditions so as to maximize preservation efficiency.

Yes, due to their delicate nature care must be taken when handling any type of Viral Transport Media (VTM). All containers should have tight-fitting lids to prevent evaporation or contamination by other organisms present in the environment. Gloves should always be worn during preparation and collection procedures whenever possible.

Common ingredients found in most commercial VTMs include sucrose, Tris HCL buffer, sodium phosphate buffer saline (PBS), glycine-sodium hydroxide buffer (GSB), human serum albumin (HSA), glutathione reductase among others which vary depending on the specific virus species being transported.

Most commercial Viral Transport Media solutions available today are formulated using non-toxic fluids but contact with these materials should still be avoided where possible due to their potential risk associated with carrying infectious agents capable of causing severe diseases if transmitted through physical contact.