A simple model system to study forces when virus interacts with cell membrane

Virus needs to attach itself to the cell membrane in order to force the cell to replicate its DNA and multiply. To better understand the fundamental adhesion mechanism between the virus and the cell membrane, we work on a much simplified system, charged hard spheres that interact with phospholipid liposomes. The interactions between the liposome and charged nanoparticles were examined using colloidal probe microscopy. The local and global mechanical properties of these ``attacked'' liposomes were measured using atomic force microscopy and a homebuilt surface forces apparatus.