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arXiv · 0712.2919

DNA ejection from bacteriophage: towards a general behavior for osmotic suppression experiments

Martin Castelnovo·Alex Evilevitch
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Abstract

We present in this work in vitro measurements of the force ejecting DNA from two distinct bacteriophages (T5 and lambda) using the smotic-suppression technique. Our data are analyzed by revisiting the current theories of DNA packaging in spherical capsids. In particular we show that a simplified analytical model based on bending considerations only is able to account quantitatively for the experimental findings. Physical and biological consequences are discussed.

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Martin Castelnovo, Alex Evilevitch. 2007-12-18. DNA ejection from bacteriophage: towards a general behavior for osmotic suppression experiments. https://doi.org/10.1140/epje%2Fi2007-10205-5

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