Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
20
pubmed:dateCreated
2004-5-19
pubmed:abstractText
The shell of bacteriophages protects the viral DNA during host-to-host transfer and serves as a high-pressure container storing energy for DNA injection into a host bacterium. Here, we probe the mechanical properties of nanometer-sized bacteriophage phi 29 shells by applying point forces. We show that empty shells withstand nanonewton forces while being indented up to 30% of their height. The elastic response varies across the surface, reflecting the arrangement of shell proteins. The measured Young's modulus (approximately 1.8 GPa) is comparable with that of hard plastic. We also observe fatigue and breakage of capsids after probing them repetitively. These results illustrate the mechanoprotection that viral shells provide and also suggest design principles for nanotechnology.
pubmed:commentsCorrections
http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/15133147-10226016, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/15133147-10529353, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/15133147-10801350, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/15133147-11130079, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/15133147-11514711, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/15133147-11607035, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/15133147-11707588, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/15133147-11812138, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/15133147-12051899, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/15133147-12609865, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/15133147-12629206, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/15133147-12637740, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/15133147-12829465, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/15133147-14019094, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/15133147-14581526, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/15133147-2960820, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/15133147-7984775, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/15133147-9223631, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/15133147-9814712
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
May
pubmed:issn
0027-8424
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:day
18
pubmed:volume
101
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
7600-5
pubmed:dateRevised
2009-11-18
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
2004
pubmed:articleTitle
Bacteriophage capsids: tough nanoshells with complex elastic properties.
pubmed:affiliation
Faculty of Exact Sciences, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, 1081 HV, The Netherlands.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't