Glycerol facilitates the disaggregation of recombinant adeno-associated virus serotype 2 on mica surface

Preparation of distributed virus on a solid substrate is a prerequisite for investigation of the properties and individualism of virus, while many previous studies showed that virus has a tendency to aggregate on solid substrates. In this communication, we report a novel approach by which well-separated recombinant adeno-associated virus serotype 2 (rAAV2) could be prepared on bare mica surface. The key technique in this approach is the addition of less than 3% (v/v) glycerol into the virus solution and subsequently deposition onto mica surface for the sample preparation. The possible mechanisms are also briefly discussed.