Viruses are nanosized, genome-filled protein containers with remarkable thermodynamic
and mechanical properties. They form by spontaneous self-assembly inside the crowded …

Microcapsules are reviewed with special emphasis on the relevance of controlled
mechanical properties for functional aspects. At first, assembly strategies are presented that …

Viruses play a role in a significant portion of human diseases, as well as those of other
animals, plants, and bacteria. This chapter focuses on the use of theoretical and …

The advent of nanoscience and nanotechnology and the development of atomic force
microscopy and other single-molecule techniques are leading to a renewed look at viruses …

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major human pathogen. In addition to its importance in human
health, there is growing interest in adapting HBV and other viruses for drug delivery and …

We survey recent progress in the application of nanoindentation to characterize the local
mechanical properties of polymer gels and biological tissues. We review the theories …

Within biology, molecules are arranged in hierarchical structures that coordinate and control
the many processes that allow for complex organisms to exist. Proteins and other functional …

Nanovesicles (∼ 100 nm) are ubiquitous in cell biology and an important vector for drug
delivery. Mechanical properties of vesicles are known to influence cellular uptake, but the …

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV1) capsids undergo extensive structural changes during
maturation and DNA packaging. As a result, they become more stable and competent for …

Capsid maturation with large-scale subunit reorganization occurs in virtually all viruses that
use a motor to package nucleic acid into preformed particles. A variety of ensemble studies …