Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 7, 2025

Simple and Robust in vivo and in vitro Approach for Studying Virus Assembly
Published on: March 1, 2012
In Vitro Assembly of Virus-Like Particles and Their Applications
Dinh To Le1, Kristian M Müller1
1Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology, Faculty of Technology, Bielefeld University, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany.
Abstract:
Virus-like particles (VLPs) are increasingly used for vaccine development and drug delivery. Assembly of VLPs from purified monomers in a chemically defined reaction is advantageous compared to in vivo assembly, because it avoids encapsidation of host-derived components and enables loading with added cargoes. This review provides an overview of ex cella VLP production methods focusing on capsid protein production, factors that impact the in vitro assembly, and approaches to characterize in vitro VLPs. The uses of in vitro produced VLPs as vaccines and for therapeutic delivery are also reported.
Related Concept Videos
Protein Complex Assembly
Many viruses self-assemble into a fully functional unit using the infected host cell to...
Introduction to Virus
Subviral Agents

