Self-repair of biological fibers catalyzed by the surface of a virus crystal

Helical fibers, presumably proteinaceous and of microbial origin, have been visualized by atomic force microscopy on the surfaces of crystals of satel lite tobacco mosaic virus. If the crystals are growing, then the fibers are incorporated intact into the crystal lattice. If broken on the crystal sur face, then within a few minutes, the fibers self-reassemble to reestablish continuity. This, we believe, is the first observation of such a crystal su rface-catalyzed repair of a biological structure. The surfaces of virus cry stals provide ideal workbenches for the visualization and manipulation of n anoscale objects, particularly extended structures such as these fibers. (C ) 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.