we plan to detect a cell receptor (protein) that a certain type of virus with a certain serotype binds to it.

we will use Chicken embryo liver cells (CEL) from SPF chickens and make three replicates (three flasks) and one control (one flask). Next, we will infect the treatment group (3 flasks) with the virus and leave the control group uninfected once all flasks are confluent. then, we will store the infected flasks and proceed with the identification of the protein by other downstream tests (IP, SDS-PAGE and mass spectrometry). I wanted to know if:

1. using 3 replicates and one control would be enough

2. is the use of the below hypothesis correct or we do not need to use the hypothesis?

3. what statistical test should be used (in case if hypothesis is necessary) to reject/accept the null hypothesis?

thank you for your assistance,

our null hypothesis is as follows:

Membrane proteins of hepatocytes in epithelial islands of CEL cells are not the target site for virus X fiber knob protein attachment.