Dielectrophoretic manipulation and characterization of herpes simplex virus-1 capsids

The dielectrophoretic behaviour of the capsids of herpes simplex virus type -1 has been measured over a range of conductivities of KCl solutions, with and without the addition of mannitol. The dielectrophoretic response of the capsids was recorded by measuring the frequency corresponding to zero diel ectrophoretic force. The data were analysed using a multi-shelled model, an d the permittivity and conductivity of the particles estimated. The capsid was modelled as a porous protein shell through which suspending medium pass es, an inner chamber containing suspending medium in equilibrium with the o utside, and a central core of protein (the scaffold). Capsids suspended in KCl without mannitol exhibited a different behaviour to those suspended in KCl with mannitol.