Modelling of icosahedral viruses

Theoretical and simulation investigations of viruses attaining icosahedral shape based on molecular models have recently become an exciting and rapidly growing research area. We discuss recent studies addressing the packing of the genome inside the capsid, thermodynamics, and the self-assembly of capsids. Special attention is given to the different packing of double-stranded and single-stranded polynucleotides in the viral capsid and its consequences.