Mechanical Aspects of Enveloped Virus-Host Cell Interactions

Dear Colleagues,

Viruses are nanoscale parasites that hijack the host’s cellular machinery to replicate themselves. Many highly infectious emerging viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19, are enveloped viruses, a large family of viruses covered by a lipid membrane taken from the infected cells. A better understanding of the interactions between these viruses and their cellular targets is critical for the development of vaccines and therapeutics. The interactions between enveloped viruses and host cells are highly mechanical, including processes such as the physical interaction/adhesion between virus and cell surface receptors, the internalization/engulfment of the virus via endocytosis or macropinocytosis, virus–plasma/endosomal membrane fusion, and the budding of newly assembled viruses from the cell membrane.

In this Special Issue, we will focus on the most recent advances in the understanding of the mechanical aspects of virus–host cell interactions, including the highly dynamic processes of viral adhesion, internalization, membrane fusion, self-assembly, and budding. Studies using multidisciplinary approaches, including (but not limited to) cellular imaging, high- or super-resolution microscopy, direct force or tension measurements, biophysical analysis, and computational modeling and simulation, are highly encouraged.

Prof. Dr. X. Frank Zhang
Guest Editor

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• virus-host cell interaction
• virus uptake
• virus entry
• viral membrane fusion
• virus self-assembly
• virus budding
• mechanical properties
• force measurement