Omics Insights into Viral Infections: From Mechanisms to Biomarkers, Antiviral Therapies and Vaccines

A special issue of Viruses (ISSN 1999-4915). This special issue belongs to the section "General Virology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 August 2024) | Viewed by 3294

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
1. Institute of Biological Psychiatry, Mental Health Centre Sct. Hans, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
2. Department of Science and Environment, Roskilde University, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
Interests: drug metabolism; antivirals; pharmacogenetics; pharmacogenomics; personalized medicine; psychiatric genetics

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The worldwide impact of viral diseases, such as HIV/AIDS, measles, hepatitis, dengue fever, rabies, yellow fever, and virus-induced cancers, is substantial, affecting both human global health and economies. The recent emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, which led to a pandemic, serves as a stark reminder of the devastating potential of new viral infections. The world faces ongoing threats from emerging zoonotic viral infections accentuated by climate and environmental changes, potentially resulting in increased exposure to vectors of viral infections and intensified animal farming practices due to growing global food demands.

This Special Issue is dedicated to exploring the role of omics approaches in advancing our understanding of viral infections. Omics, including genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, interactomics, and pharmacogenomics, may revolutionize the extent of our ability to dissect the molecular intricacies of viral–host interactions, thus potentially allowing us to decipher strategies employed by viruses to exploit host cellular machinery and improve the management of viral infections. Accordingly, this Special Issue aims to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms of viral infections, shedding light on viral pathogenesis, host response, and the identification of diagnostic and therapeutic targets that could potentially serve as paradigms for future studies of viral infections.

Key Objectives:

Host–Pathogen Interactions: This Special Issue aims to investigate the interplay between viruses and host cells, elucidating the molecular events that underpin viral infections. A detailed understanding of these events may help us to identify disease markers and design therapeutic interventions.

Biomarker Discovery: A central focus is on the identification of novel biomarkers and molecular signatures of viral infections. This hold promises for the development of diagnostic tools, prognostic indicators, and monitoring viral disease progression.

Antiviral Strategies: By unraveling the molecular basis of viral infections, the Special Issue aims to pave the way for the development of effective antiviral treatments and vaccines. Specifically, it will explore how omics data can inform the design of therapeutic interventions that target vulnerable viral pathways or host molecules and functions such as cellular receptors mediating attachment of viruses.

Translational Impact: Research with translational potential, facilitating the translation of omics insights into clinical applications, is encouraged. Accordingly, contributions that bridge the gap between basic research and strategies for combatting viral infections are highly relevant.

In summary, to advance our knowledge of viral diseases and accelerate the development of strategies to combat these global health challenges, this Special Issue invites the submission of original research articles, reviews, and contributions that highlight the use of omics techniques in viral infections.

Dr. Henrik Berg Rasmussen
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • viral infections
  • omics
  • molecular mechanisms
  • host–pathogen interactions
  • biomarker discovery
  • translational impact
  • therapeutic interventions
  • vaccines

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 1094 KiB  
Article
Insights into SARS-CoV-2 Surveillance among Prison Populations in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, in 2022
by Liliane Ferreira da Silva, Luiz Carlos Junior Alcantara, Vagner Fonseca, Diego Frias, Marina Castilhos Souza Umaki Zardin, Gislene Garcia de Castro Lichs, Ana Olivia Pascoto Esposito, Joilson Xavier, Hegger Fritsch, Mauricio Lima, Carla de Oliveira, Larissa Domingues Castilho de Arruda, Livia de Mello Almeida Maziero, Ellen Caroline Rodrigues Barretos, Paulo Eduardo Tsuha Oshiro, Evellyn Fernanda Gimenes Mendes Menezes, Lucélia de Freitas Cardoso, Everton Ferreira Lemos, José Lourenço, Carlos F. C. de Albuquerque, Rodrigo Fabiano do Carmo Said, Alexander Rosewell, Luiz Henrique Ferraz Demarchi, Julio Croda, Marta Giovanetti and Crhistinne Cavalheiro Maymone Gonçalvesadd Show full author list remove Hide full author list
Viruses 2024, 16(7), 1143; https://doi.org/10.3390/v16071143 - 16 Jul 2024
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Abstract
This study examines the epidemiological and genomic characteristics, along with the transmission dynamics, of SARS-CoV-2 within prison units I and II in Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Conducted between May and October 2022, it reveals how the virus spreads in the [...] Read more.
This study examines the epidemiological and genomic characteristics, along with the transmission dynamics, of SARS-CoV-2 within prison units I and II in Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Conducted between May and October 2022, it reveals how the virus spreads in the confined settings of prisons, emphasizing the roles of overcrowded cells, frequent transfers, and limited healthcare access. The research involved 1927 participants (83.93% of the total prison population) and utilized nasopharyngeal swabs and RT-qPCR testing for detection. Contact tracing monitored exposure within cells. Out of 2108 samples, 66 positive cases were identified (3.13%), mostly asymptomatic (77.27%), with the majority aged 21–29 and varying vaccination statuses. Next-generation sequencing generated 28 whole genome sequences, identifying the Omicron variant (subtypes BA.2 and BA.5) with 99% average coverage. Additionally, the study seeks to determine the relationship between immunization levels and the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 cases within this enclosed population. The findings underscore the necessity of comprehensive control strategies in prisons, including rigorous screening, isolation protocols, vaccination, epidemiological monitoring, and genomic surveillance to mitigate disease transmission and protect both the incarcerated population and the broader community. Full article
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Review

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20 pages, 1861 KiB  
Review
Medicinal Plants against Viral Infections: A Review of Metabolomics Evidence for the Antiviral Properties and Potentials in Plant Sources
by Wilson Bamise Adeosun and Du Toit Loots
Viruses 2024, 16(2), 218; https://doi.org/10.3390/v16020218 - 31 Jan 2024
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Abstract
Most plants have developed unique mechanisms to cope with harsh environmental conditions to compensate for their lack of mobility. A key part of their coping mechanisms is the synthesis of secondary metabolites. In addition to their role in plants’ defense against pathogens, they [...] Read more.
Most plants have developed unique mechanisms to cope with harsh environmental conditions to compensate for their lack of mobility. A key part of their coping mechanisms is the synthesis of secondary metabolites. In addition to their role in plants’ defense against pathogens, they also possess therapeutic properties against diseases, and their use by humans predates written history. Viruses are a unique class of submicroscopic agents, incapable of independent existence outside a living host. Pathogenic viruses continue to pose a significant threat to global health, leading to innumerable fatalities on a yearly basis. The use of medicinal plants as a natural source of antiviral agents has been widely reported in literature in the past decades. Metabolomics is a powerful research tool for the identification of plant metabolites with antiviral potentials. It can be used to isolate compounds with antiviral capacities in plants and study the biosynthetic pathways involved in viral disease progression. This review discusses the use of medicinal plants as antiviral agents, with a special focus on the metabolomics evidence supporting their efficacy. Suggestions are made for the optimization of various metabolomics methods of characterizing the bioactive compounds in plants and subsequently understanding the mechanisms of their operation. Full article
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