Figure 2. Capsomere tertiary structure is maintained after incubation for 12 weeks at 50°C as measured by intrinsic fluorescence.

Stern-Volmer fluorescence quenching constants (K_SV) measured after reconstitution of lyophilized capsomere formulations (prepared either with or without aluminum hydroxide adjuvant) were the same as those observed in liquid formulations prior to lyophilization, and did not change after 12 weeks incubation at 50°C in the glassy state. K_SV values for capsomeres unfolded in 8 M urea or for free tryptophan were much larger, indicative of greater solvent accessibility to normally buried tryptophan residues. K_SV values and associated error bars represent mean ± standard deviation, n=3.