We present in this work in vitro measurements of the force ejecting DNA from two distinct bacteriophages (T5 and lambda) using the smotic-suppression technique. Our data are analyzed by revisiting the current theories of DNA packaging in spherical capsids. In particular we show that a simplified analytical model based on bending considerations only is able to account quantitatively for the experimental findings. Physical and biological consequences are discussed.
@article{arxiv.0712.2919,
title = {DNA ejection from bacteriophage: towards a general behavior for osmotic suppression experiments},
author = {Martin Castelnovo and Alex Evilevitch},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:0712.2919},
year = {2007}
}