Biophysics of DNA Packaging

<p><span><span>Many double stranded DNA&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/biochemistry-genetics-and-molecular... title="Learn more about Bacteriophage from ScienceDirect's AI-generated Topic Pages">bacteriophages</a>&nbsp;use powerful&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-science... title="Learn more about Molecular Motor from ScienceDirect's AI-generated Topic Pages">molecular motors</a>&nbsp;to package their genome into their&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-science... title="Learn more about Capsid from ScienceDirect's AI-generated Topic Pages">capsids</a><span>. Thanks to high-resolution structures, single molecule experiments, and computational modelling, we are now beginning to understand the elaborate mechanisms governing these motors’ functions. Here we provide an overview of the biophysical characterization of these systems, primarily focusing on the φ29, T4, and λ bacteriophages. Biophysical properties such as packaging speed, force generation, mechanochemical coupling, and motor coordination are discussed.</span></p>