We describe the usage of a fluorescent reporter vaccinia virus that enables real-time measurement of viral infectivity and gene expression through the stage-specific expression of spectrally distinct reporter fluorophores. We detail a plate-based method for accurately identifying the stage at which virus replication is affected in response to small molecule inhibition.
Rozelle, D. K., Filone, C. M., Dower, K., Connor, J. H. Vaccinia Reporter Viruses for Quantifying Viral Function at All Stages of Gene Expression. J. Vis. Exp. (87), e51522, doi:10.3791/51522 (2014).