Investigation of Virus Crystal Growth Mechanisms by <i>In Situ</i> Atomic Force Microscopy

A. J. Malkin; T. A. Land; Yu. G. Kuznetsov; A. McPherson; J. J. DeYoreo

doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.75.2778

Investigation of Virus Crystal Growth Mechanisms by In Situ Atomic Force Microscopy

A. J. Malkin, T. A. Land, Yu. G. Kuznetsov, A. McPherson, and J. J. DeYoreo

Phys. Rev. Lett. 75, 2778 – Published 2 October 1995

Abstract

For the first time, virus crystal growth dynamics and morphology have been investigated in real time on the nanometer scale. Individual monomers on the (111) face of cubic satellite tobacco mosaic virus (STMV) crystals were resolved and used to determine crystal packing. Growth of STMV proceeded by two- and three-dimensional nucleation to formed “stacks” of islands. No dislocations were observed. Small islands provided an estimate of critical radius size and the free energy of the step edge, α. Step advancement rates were used to determinate the kinetic coefficient β. Images illustrate mechanisms for defect incorporation and suggest factors that limit growth rate and uniformity.

Received 19 May 1995

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.75.2778

Authors & Affiliations

A. J. Malkin¹, T. A. Land², Yu. G. Kuznetsov¹, A. McPherson¹, and J. J. DeYoreo²

¹Department of Biochemistry, University of California, Riverside, California 92521
²Department of Chemistry and Material Science, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550