The role of assembly signals in the self-assembly of linear viruses

Abstract

Linear artificial viruses (AVs) can be formed through a self-assembly process which is strongly influenced by assembly signals on their genetic material. In this thesis the description of self-assembly with multiple assembly signals and variable nucleation cost is assessed. It shows that a combination of the two determines in which regime the self-assembly is. An assembly signal, position entropy and nucleation entropy dominated regime can be distinguished. Furthermore, in the zipper regime an account is given of the assembly kinetics with finite as opposed to infinite protein concentration. Finite concentration gives rise to overshoots and undershoots. Finally, for a self-competing assembly system a universal curve is given which can be a valuable tool in determining the strength of an assembly signal from two measurements.