Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Molecular Weight of Step-Growth Polymers01:08

Molecular Weight of Step-Growth Polymers

3.0K
Step growth polymerization involves bi or multifunctional monomers. Bifunctional monomers react to form linear step growth polymers, whereas multifunctional monomers react to form non-linear or branched polymers.
As the step-growth polymerization involves step-wise condensation of monomers, the molecular weight also builds up eventually. Consequently, high molecular weight polymers are obtained at the late stages of the polymerization, where 99% of monomers have been consumed.
The extent of the...
3.0K
DNA Packaging00:58

DNA Packaging

114.4K
Overview
114.4K
Polymers: Molecular Weight Distribution01:10

Polymers: Molecular Weight Distribution

5.0K
For any given polymer, the weight average molecular weight (Mw) is higher than, if not equal to, the number average molecular weight (Mn). The only situation in which the weight average molecular weight and the number average molecular weight are equal is when a polymer consists only of chains with equal molecular weight. However, this never happens in a synthetic polymer, since it is difficult to control the polymerization process up to a molecular level with accuracy to a hundred percent.
5.0K
Polymer Classification: Crystallinity01:21

Polymer Classification: Crystallinity

4.2K
Unlike ionic or small covalent molecules, polymers do not form crystalline solids due to the diffusion limitations of their long-chain structures. However, polymers contain microscopic crystalline domains separated by amorphous domains.
Crystalline domains are the regions where polymer chains are aligned in an orderly manner and held together in proximity by intermolecular forces. For example, chains in the crystalline domains of polyethylene and nylon are bound together by van der Waals...
4.2K
Polymer Classification: Stereospecificity01:26

Polymer Classification: Stereospecificity

3.4K
Polymerization generates chiral centers along the entire backbone of a polymer chain. Accordingly, the stereochemistry of the substituent group has a significant effect on polymer properties. Polymers formed from monosubstituted alkene monomers feature chiral carbons at every alternate position in the polymer backbone. Relative to the predominant orientation of substituents at the adjacent chiral carbons, the polymer can exist in three different configurations: isotactic, syndiotactic, and...
3.4K
Polymer Classification: Architecture01:14

Polymer Classification: Architecture

4.0K
Polymers are classified as linear or branched on the basis of their chain architecture. The polymer chains in linear polymers have a long chain-like structure with minimal to no branching at all. Even if a polymer features large substituent groups on the monomer, which appear as branches to the skeleton, it is not considered a branched polymer. A branched polymer contains secondary polymer chains that arise from the main polymer chain. The branching occurs when the polymer growth shifts from...
4.0K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Molecular dynamics study of T = 3 capsid assembly.

Journal of biological physics·2018
Same author

Molecular dynamics simulation: a tool for exploration and discovery using simple models.

Journal of physics. Condensed matter : an Institute of Physics journal·2014
Same author

Molecular dynamics simulation of reversibly self-assembling shells in solution using trapezoidal particles.

Physical review. E, Statistical, nonlinear, and soft matter physics·2012
Same author

Structure and interactions in fluids of prolate colloidal ellipsoids: comparison between experiment, theory, and simulation.

The Journal of chemical physics·2012
Same author

Studies of reversible capsid shell growth.

Journal of physics. Condensed matter : an Institute of Physics journal·2011
Same author

Modeling capsid self-assembly: design and analysis.

Physical biology·2010

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 13, 2026

Preparation of Hollow Polystyrene Particles and Microcapsules by Radical Polymerization of Janus Droplets Consisting of Hydrocarbon and Fluorocarbon Oils
07:01

Preparation of Hollow Polystyrene Particles and Microcapsules by Radical Polymerization of Janus Droplets Consisting of Hydrocarbon and Fluorocarbon Oils

Published on: January 25, 2018

10.6K

Packaging stiff polymers in small containers: A molecular dynamics study.

D C Rapaport1

  • 1Department of Physics, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan 52900, Israel.

Physical Review. E
|October 15, 2016
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Stiff polymers like DNA self-organize into spools when packed into viral capsids. This inside-out spooling mechanism allows efficient packaging without polymer twisting.

More Related Videos

Controlled Synthesis and Fluorescence Tracking of Highly Uniform PolyN-isopropylacrylamide Microgels
11:34

Controlled Synthesis and Fluorescence Tracking of Highly Uniform PolyN-isopropylacrylamide Microgels

Published on: September 8, 2016

10.8K
Particles without a Box: Brush-first Synthesis of Photodegradable PEG Star Polymers under Ambient Conditions
06:56

Particles without a Box: Brush-first Synthesis of Photodegradable PEG Star Polymers under Ambient Conditions

Published on: October 10, 2013

40.3K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Mar 13, 2026

Preparation of Hollow Polystyrene Particles and Microcapsules by Radical Polymerization of Janus Droplets Consisting of Hydrocarbon and Fluorocarbon Oils
07:01

Preparation of Hollow Polystyrene Particles and Microcapsules by Radical Polymerization of Janus Droplets Consisting of Hydrocarbon and Fluorocarbon Oils

Published on: January 25, 2018

10.6K
Controlled Synthesis and Fluorescence Tracking of Highly Uniform PolyN-isopropylacrylamide Microgels
11:34

Controlled Synthesis and Fluorescence Tracking of Highly Uniform PolyN-isopropylacrylamide Microgels

Published on: September 8, 2016

10.8K
Particles without a Box: Brush-first Synthesis of Photodegradable PEG Star Polymers under Ambient Conditions
06:56

Particles without a Box: Brush-first Synthesis of Photodegradable PEG Star Polymers under Ambient Conditions

Published on: October 10, 2013

40.3K

Area of Science:

  • Polymer physics
  • Biophysics
  • Computational biology

Background:

  • Understanding polymer packing in confined spaces is crucial for biological systems, especially viral DNA packaging.
  • Previous studies explored polymer behavior in small containers, but with shorter polymers.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the self-organization and packing of stiff polymers within a spherical viral capsid.
  • To analyze the influence of polymer stiffness on packing mechanisms using simulations.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized molecular dynamics simulations.
  • Employed coarse-grained models for DNA polymers and viral capsids.
  • Simulated longer polymers than in prior research.

Main Results:

  • Observed a shift towards inside-out spool formation as polymer stiffness increased.
  • Identified coaxial spool structures with concentric layers and varying orientations.
  • Demonstrated a packaging mechanism that avoids polymer twisting.

Conclusions:

  • Increased polymer stiffness promotes self-organization into internal spools within viral capsids.
  • This spooling behavior offers an efficient, non-twisting method for viral genome packaging.
  • Findings provide insights into fundamental principles of polymer confinement and biological packaging.