Exploring the Intersection of Molecular Design, Dynamics and Biological Function

Virus capsids and structurally related protein cages are self-assembling and often symmetrical nanoscale structures, with broad implications for the understanding of disease as well as the development of new therapies, vaccines, and materials. Their formation entails the co-assembly of hundreds of proteins into exquisitely uniform structures and the synchronized encapsulation of internal components, all without external control. Though such structures comprise many copies of relatively few components, they perform remarkable functions both inside and outside of host cells. Virus particles package, protect and deliver a sensitive genomic cargo, while protein-based compartments of cellular microbes create exclusive microenvironments for biocatalysis. They share a simplicity in composition and purpose such that treating them as physical entities allows unique insight into the basic functions of biological matter.

The 2026 Physics of Viruses and Protein Cages GRC will bring together the physical, biological, and materials perspectives that are rapidly shaping the field of virology and the study of related nanoscale compartments as physical functional systems. The community will unite to understand the form and function of the molecular components of these systems, and to take inspiration from them in designing and evolving purpose-built biomimetics for diverse applications. Participation will include those from a wide range of disciplines bridging basic and applied science, including material science, synthetic biology, physics, biochemistry, mathematics, biomedical engineering, computer science, and chemistry.