The formation of a virus shell around a single nanoparticle core has been extensively studied both experimentally and theoretically. However, only recently, very small nanoparticles have been seen to co-assemble into a single virus-like particle (VLP). Such assembly results in the encapsulation of multiple nanoparticles in virus capsids, the diameter of which is identical to the native virus. Here, we devise the assembly mechanism for self-assembled multicore VLPs through the construction of a phase diagram for multi-particle encapsulation in the virus shell. We also provide preliminary structural analysis of the array of nanoparticles inside the VLP. Additionally, we present numerical simulations that study the thermodynamic stability of these multi-core virus protein shells. Once fully optimized, the collective optical response of multicore VLPs will be sensitive to capsid deformations and thus, will lay the basis for strain sensors. These VLP-based deformation probes will provide new experimental tools for the analysis of the configurational changes of VLPs in the confines of a host cell. This will prove beneficial for the advancement of virus-based drug delivery systems.

Synthesis of multi-core virus-like particles

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