VI FOREWORD 



be correct — and may fail, just as the high tide of Classical 

 Theory in 1906 failed to cover the domain of the atom. So the 

 challenge is real and welcome after weary computations verifying 

 quantum theory in more and more elaborate systems. The 

 second emotion is frustration: viruses are complex, understood 

 only in terms of biological action, and the habits of starting in 

 simple systems are seemingly not helpful. So, after a start, 

 many a physicist has recoiled. 



This book is an attempt to present what is known about 

 viruses from the viewpoint of a physicist. In so doing, a major 

 aim has proved to be the description of viruses, their shape and 

 structure. Rather surprisingly, definite shapes and structures 

 are emerging, and it is with a heightened sense of excitement 

 that the hoped-for simplicity and symmetry are beginning to be 

 found. So the account given here should interest not only 

 the physicist but that growing body of students who admit to 

 being virologists as well. And more — there is no doubt that 

 the processes of viruses are in some way the processes of biology, 

 so that the fundamental actions of biology may well be clarified 

 by thinking about how viruses perform their work. It is signifi- 

 cant that the author, starting as a physicist, has, through the 

 study of viruses, developed an understanding of, and sympathy 

 with, biologists, and heightened his already high respect for 

 their penetrating discoveries. So biology and physics do in 

 reality meet in this subject, and the era of Helmholtz and Mayer 

 is once more returning. 



Physical knowledge of viruses is advancing fast: every month 

 sees an important piece of structural knowledge come within 

 our ken. The methods outlined here are proving worth while, 

 and the picture of viruses with the simplicity and beauty of 

 Nature, herself, is beginning to be unveiled before our eyes. 



The author wishes, to acknowedge the great stimulus from all 

 the members of the biophysics group at Yale. Argument and 

 discussion there made the book possible. Also the liberality 

 of Yale University in permitting a full-fledged nuclear physicist 

 to deviate so considerably is here acknowledged, particularly 

 the personal support given by Professor W. W. Watson. Thanks 



