The use of solid physical models for the study of macromolecular assembly

The use of modern technology in the construction of accurate solid macromolecular models based on atomic coordinates and electron density functions has led us to re-examine the usefulness of physical models as tools for understanding molecular assembly and for designing detailed experimental and computational studies of the assembly process. Recent developments include the construction of new models, which have provided insights into the assembly of viruses and light harvesting complexes.