Sad State of Phage Electron Microscopy. Please Shoot the Messenger

Sad State of Phage Electron Microscopy. Please Shoot the Messenger

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Two hundred and sixty publications from 2007 to 2012 were classified according to the quality of read more electron micrographs; namely as good (71); mediocre (21); or poor (168).Publications were from 37 countries; appeared in 77 journals; and included micrographs produced with about 60 models of electron microscopes.The quality of the micrographs was not linked to any country; journal; or electron microscope.Main problems were poor contrast; positive staining; low magnification; acupatch and small image size.

Unsharp images were frequent.Many phage descriptions were silent on virus purification; magnification control; even the type of electron microscope and stain used.The deterioration in phage electron microscopy can be attributed to the absence of working instructions and electron microscopy courses; incompetent authors and reviewers; and lenient journals.All these factors are able to cause a gradual lowering of standards.