Is it possible to extract DNA from EM blocks for PCR studies?
• Back in the late 70s Phil Jones looked at a coconut disease in North Sumatra and Malaysia that Peter Turner and Ray Kenten had called Coconut Stem Necrosis. After a lot of EM studies for viruses and phytoplasmas he found bodies that looked like phytoplasmas. The work was published in the Perak Planters Journal. No antibiotic studies were done and molecular methods were not available. If he was doing the work today he would want molecular and/or antibiotic studies to confirm aetiology. Phil still has the EM blocks and is wondering if it might be possible to extract DNA from these for PCR studies. This sort of study would open up a whole vault of speciments from other suspected phytoplasma diseases that could be tested. If anyone is willing to fund a project contact Phil or CICLY.
