Osmotic shock and the strength of viral capsids

Citation:

Cordova A, Deserno M, Gelbart WM, Ben-Shaul A. Osmotic shock and the strength of viral capsids. BIOPHYSICAL JOURNAL. 2003;85 :70-74.
2003.ac_et_al.bj_.pdf592 KB

Date Published:

JUL

Abstract:

Osmotic shock is a familiar means for rupturing viral capsids and exposing their genomes intact. The necessary conditions for providing this shock involve incubation in high-concentration salt solutions, and lower permeability of the capsids to salt ions than to water molecules. We discuss here how values of the capsid strength can be inferred from calculations of the osmotic pressure differences associated with measured values of the critical concentration of incubation solution.

Last updated on 12/26/2016