Abstract

Viruses undergo mesoscopic morphological changes as they interact with host interfaces and in response to chemical cues. The dynamics of these changes, over the entire temporal range relevant to virus processes, are unclear. Here, we report on creep compliance experiments on a small icosahedral virus under uniaxial constant stress. We find that even at small stresses, well below the yielding point and generally thought to induce a Hookean response, strain continues to develop in time via sparse, randomly distributed, relatively rapid plastic events. The intermittent character of mechanical compliance only appears above a loading threshold, similar to situations encountered in granular flows and the plastic deformation of crystalline solids. The threshold load is much smaller for the empty capsids of the brome mosaic virus than for the wild-type virions. The difference highlights the involvement of RNA in stabilizing the assembly interface. Numerical simulations of spherical crystal deformation suggest intermittency is mediated by lattice defect dynamics and identify the type of compression-induced defect that nucleates the transition to plasticity. - Copyright © 2019 American Chemical Society

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Dragnea Research is at the forefront of multidisciplinary innovation, exploring the intersection of nanoscale optics, quantum photonics, physical virology, and bio-architected hybrid materials with 3D nanoscale order. Their latest publications highlight groundbreaking advancements in fields such as self-assembly, optics and spectroscopy, and the physical manipulation of virus-like particles (VLPs) for chemical imaging and surface modifications. Drawing from their expertise in using near-field scanning techniques and laser-induced effects, these works showcase how nanoscale phenomena can be harnessed for applications in material science, virology, and beyond. The accompanying visual mosaic underscores the diverse range of their research, from probing molecular dynamics to the development of 3D-ordered structures, all united by a commitment to pushing the boundaries of applied and theoretical science.