Evaluation of the binding energy of viral capsid proteins using a Virtual AFM

Abstract

Viruses are biological agents with great potential in the field of nanotechnology. Nowadays, their amazing properties are starting to be unveiled using physical techniques like the atomic force microscope. In this study, we have used a Virtual AFM, i.e., a simulator that mimics a typical AFM nanoindentation experiment, to study the mechanical properties of viral shells. In particular, with our VAFM, we have analysed the possibility of evaluating the binding energy between proteins using rupture experiments and how that estimate of the energy depends on experimental parameters such as the loading rate or the size of the tip