  A liquid crystal continuum modeling framework for icosahedra bacteriophage
viruses is developed and tested. The main assumptions of the model are the
chromonic columnar hexagonal structure of confined DNA, the high resistance to
bending and the phase transition from solid to fluid-like states as the
concentration of DNA in the capsid decreases during infection. The model
predicts osmotic pressure inside the capsid and the ejection force of the DNA
as well as the size of the isotropic volume at the center of the capsid.
Extensions of the model are discussed.
