We have used our theory to develop a computer toolkit to model virus shell assembly. The toolkit has been implemented on both the SGI and CM-5. We have used the toolkit to explore the tolerance margins of shells as well as possible deformities. The implementation relies upon an optimizer that is based on a simple spring model. When angles and lengths are so varied, roughly the same shell is produced, but the program has to work much harder.
Greater variations result in serious deformities, however.
For example, the local rule theory tells us that if a hexamer occurs in place of an initial pentamer, spiraling occurs. This has been verified computationally. Click here to return to the virtual open house.