Viruses are highly ordered supramolecular complexes that have evolved to propagate by hijacking the host cell's machinery. Although viruses are very diverse, spreading through cells of all kingdoms of life, they share common functions and properties. Next to the general interest in virology, fundamental viral mechanisms are of growing importance in other disciplines such as biomedicine and (bio)nanotechnology. However, in order to optimally make use of viruses and virus-like particles, for instance as vehicle for targeted drug delivery or as building blocks in electronics, it is essential to understand their basic chemical and physical properties and characteristics. In this context, the number of studies addressing the mechanisms governing viral properties and processes has recently grown drastically. This review summarizes a specific part of these scientific achievements, particularly addressing physical virology approaches aimed to understand the self-assembly of viruses and the mechanical properties of viral particles. Using a physicochemical perspective, we have focused on fundamental studies providing an overview of the molecular basis governing these key aspects of viral systems. This article is categorized under: Biology-Inspired Nanomaterials > Protein and Virus-Based Structures Nanotechnology Approaches to Biology > Nanoscale Systems in Biology.

中文翻译：

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物理病毒学：从病毒自组装到粒子力学。

病毒是高度有序的超分子复合物，已经通过劫持宿主细胞的机制进化为繁殖。尽管病毒种类繁多，并遍布所有生命王国的细胞，但它们具有共同的功能和特性。除了对病毒学的普遍关注之外，基本病毒机制在其他学科（例如生物医学和（生物）纳米技术）中的重要性也日益提高。但是，为了最佳地利用病毒和病毒样颗粒，例如作为靶向药物输送的媒介物或电子产品中的构件，必须了解它们的基本化学和物理性质及特性。在这种情况下，针对控制病毒特性和过程的机制的研究数量最近急剧增长。这篇综述总结了这些科学成就的特定部分，特别是针对旨在了解病毒的自组装和病毒颗粒的机械特性的物理病毒学方法。从理化角度出发，我们专注于基础研究，概述了控制病毒系统这些关键方面的分子基础。本文归类于：受生物启发的纳米材料>基于蛋白质和病毒的结构生物的纳米技术方法>生物中的纳米系统。我们专注于基础研究，概述了控制病毒系统这些关键方面的分子基础。本文归类于：受生物启发的纳米材料>基于蛋白质和病毒的结构生物的纳米技术方法>生物中的纳米系统。我们专注于基础研究，概述了控制病毒系统这些关键方面的分子基础。本文归类于：受生物启发的纳米材料>基于蛋白质和病毒的结构生物的纳米技术方法>生物中的纳米系统。