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It remains unclear how this DNA, which is stiff, bulky, and has significant negative charge, is accommodated within the capsid. The organization of the genome will answer this and lend insight into the viral reverse transcription reaction. We determined the structures of mature HBV and Duck HBV, finding that the DNA forms a spool that is coaxial with the capsid\u2019s fivefold symmetry and interacts with charges on the capsid interior. We calculate that the energy of DNA bending would create a metastable capsid that just awaits a trigger for DNA release. 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