>"Just to set the terminology straight, microbiologists use "petri dishes"<
Just to clarify your terminology, I did not say viruses grow on "AGAR" medium I know that is where bacteria grow PLUS if you want to you can grow viruses in petri dishes.......how...
Lay a confuent growth of let's say E. coli and then introduce E. coli PHAGE particles(viruses)....you will see the distruction of the E. coli growth by invading viruses!
Also I have grown viruses in " petri dishes" all you need is cell line adhered to the petri dish and provide growth suplement every 24-48hrs and you will have viral CPE specific to virus cultivated.....should I explain CPE?
FYI.... Microbiologists are more than bacteriologists, they are also Mycologists, Virologists, Mycobacteriologists and Parasitologists.
asif