Tissue Printing Hybridization Using Digoxigenin-Labeled DNA Probes for the Detection of Geminiviruses and Associated DNA Satellites.

Nucleic acid hybridization is a fundamental technique in plant virus research, enabling precise detection of plant pathogens. Tissue printing hybridization exhibits high sensitivity and specificity in detecting viral genomes, providing particularly valuable for screening a large number of samples without the need for DNA purification. This method virtually eliminates contamination and false positives. This chapter presents a detailed and effective protocol for nucleic acid hybridization of geminiviruses using digoxigenin-labeled probes. Specifically, the tissue printing hybridization technique is outlined for a particular geminivirus and its associated deltasatellite. However, the methodology is adaptable to a diverse range of geminiviruses and host plants, rendering it versatile and applicable across various geminivirus research contexts.