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The research in my group ranges from
molecular to
systems size levels. In particular, we study the structure and
mechanics of viral
capsids, their interaction with host cell molecules and the mechanisms
of nanoparticle self-assembly.
The genome in viral capsids is often packaged at high densities and in
bacteriophages even to near crystalline densities. This sets high
requirements
on the mechanical properties of the viral shells. Using Atomic Force
Microscopy we are studying how viruses have adapted their capsid
properties to
fulfil their
task of efficiently encapsulating the genome. Viral assembly and
genome-capsid interactions are closely related and for many viruses
assembly is crucially dependent on the encapsulated genome. We study
this assembly and the related genome-capsid interactions with various
biophysical techniques.
Next to viral systems my
research interests are
cells, the
cytoskeleton and their associated molecular motors. How does a highly
complex system like cells govern and coordinate their interactions with
outside cues and with their intracellular components. Using
microfabricated
pillar arrays we have been able to construct quasi two-dimensional
cross-linked
actin networks, which are used as a model system for the actin cortex
of cells.
The pillar arrays are used as force sensors in order to study the
mechanics of deformation
of two-dimensional biopolymer networks. Furthermore, we have studied
the
clustering of
molecular motors (kinesins) on microtubules using micropillar arrays
and
fluorescence microscopy techniques.
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Selected Publications:
J. Snijder, C. Uetrecht, R. Rose, R. Sanchez, G. Marti, J. Agirre, D. M. Guérin, G. J. Wuite, A. J. R. Heck, W. H. Roos
Probing the biophysical interplay between a viral genome and its capsid
Nature Chemistry, 2013, Vol. 5, 502-509
W.
H.
Roos, I.
Gertsman, E. R. May, C. L. Brooks III, J. E. Johnson, G. J. L. Wuite
Mechanics of
bacteriophage maturation
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A., 2012, Vol. 109, 2342-2347
M.
Baclayon, G.
K. Shoemaker, C. Uetrecht, S.
Crawford,
M. Estes, B. Prasad, A. J. Heck, G.
J. Wuite, W.
H. Roos
Pre-stress
strenghtens the shell of Norwalk Virus Nanoparticles
Nano Letters, 2011, Vol. 11, 4865-4869
W.
H. Roos, R. Bruinsma, G. J. L. Wuite
Physical
Virology
Nature Physics,
2010, Vol. 6, 733-743
W. H. Roos, K. Radtke, E. Kniesmeijer, H. Geertsema, B. Sodeik, G. J.
L. Wuite
Scaffold
expulsion and genome packaging trigger stabilization of Herpes Simplex
Virus capsids
Proc. Natl.
Acad. Sci. U. S. A., 2009, Vol. 106, 9673-9678
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