Role of Condensing Particles in Polymer Confinement: A Model for Virus-Packed “Minichromosomes”

Confined mixtures of a polymer and nonspecifically binding particles (condensers) are studied as models for viruses containing double-stranded DNA (polymer) and condensing proteins (particles). We explore a model in which all interactions between the packed content (polymer and particles) and its confinement are purely repulsive, with only a short-range attraction between the condensers and polymer to simulate binding. In the range of physical parameters applicable to viruses, the model predicts reduction of pressure in the system effected by the condensers, despite the reduction in free volume.

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