Focus-forming Assay

A Focus-forming Assay is a laboratory test used to measure the ability of a virus or gene to induce an alteration in the shape of an animal cell. This assay is useful in determining the strength of a virus' ability to replicate in a living system as well as identifying potential genes with oncogenic activity, where the gene can cause or contribute to the formation of tumors. The Focus-forming Assay is often used in drug and vaccine development for viruses, as well as for research in cancer biology. This assay is significant because it can provide important information about how cells respond to viral or gene-based therapies.