Many studies have shown that the icosahedral symmetry adopted by most spherical viruses is the result of free energy minimization of a generic interaction between virus proteins. Remarkably, we find that icosahedral and other highly symmetric structures observed both in vitro and equilibrium studies of viral shells can readily grow from identical subunits under non equilibrium conditions. Our minimal model of virus assembly shows that structures of small shells are basically determined by the spontaneous curvature almost independently of the mechanical properties of the protein subunits .
Highly symmetric nano-shells are found in many biological systems, such as clathrin cages and viral shells. Several studies have shown that symmetric shells appear in nature as a result of the free energy minimization of a generic interaction between their constituent subunits. We examine the physical basis for the formation of symmetric shells, and using a minimal model we demonstrate that these structures can readily grow from identical subunits under non equilibrium conditions. Our model of nano-shell assembly shows that the spontaneous curvature regulates the size of the shell while the mechanical properties of the subunit determines the symmetry of the assembled structure. Understanding the minimum requirements for the formation of closed nano-shells is a necessary step towards engineering of nano-containers, which will have far reaching impact in both material science and medicine .
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Highly symmetric nano-shells are found in many biological systems, such as clathrin cages and viral shells. Several
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the icosahedral symmetry adopted by most spherical viruses is the result of
symmetric shells appear in nature as a result of the
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virus proteins. Remarkably, we find that icosahedral and other highly symmetric structures observed both in vitro and equilibrium studies of viral shells
their constituent subunits. We examine the physical basis for the formation of symmetric shells, and using a minimal model we demonstrate that these structures
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minimal model of virus
model of nano-shell
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structures of small shells are basically determined by
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almost independently of the
regulates the size of the shell while the
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protein subunits
subunit determines the symmetry of the assembled structure. Understanding the minimum requirements for the formation of closed nano-shells is a necessary step towards engineering of nano-containers, which will have far reaching impact in both material science and medicine