Polymers in the Fight Against Viruses: Innovations and Applications
A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Polymer Applications".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 October 2025 | Viewed by 46
Special Issue Editors
Interests: antimicrobial peptides; antivirals; viruses; interferon; autophagy; nanofibers; antimicrobials; polymeric nanomaterials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: amphiphilic dendrimer; self-assembly; polymers; nanocomposites; semiconducting polymer nanocomposites; antibacterial agents; drug targeting; hydrogel for tissue engineering and drug delivery applications; enzyme dynamic therapy; sonodynamic therapy
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Polymers have emerged as indispensable tools in the fight against viral diseases, offering groundbreaking solutions for both understanding and combating viral infections. This Special Issue delves into the diverse roles of polymers in virology, encompassing their use in studying viral structures and mechanisms and their application in innovative antiviral strategies. The adaptability and tunable properties of polymers make them ideal candidates for addressing the complex challenges posed by viruses, from rapid detection to therapeutic intervention.
On the diagnostic front, polymer-based systems have enhanced the sensitivity and specificity of viral detection methods, enabling earlier and more accurate diagnoses. In antiviral therapy, polymers serve as carriers for targeted drug delivery, improving the efficacy and bioavailability of antiviral agents while minimizing side effects. They are also key components in vaccine technology, acting as adjuvants or delivery platforms that boost immune responses. Additionally, antiviral polymeric coatings and surfaces have shown great potential in reducing viral transmission by providing persistent protective barriers.
The scope of this Special Issue extends to biodegradable and sustainable polymers, which offer environmentally friendly solutions to antiviral challenges, and advanced materials designed to interact with viral structures at the molecular level. Contributions to this Special Issue should explore the synthesis, characterization, and application of these cutting-edge materials, highlighting the intersection between polymer science and virology as a fertile ground for innovation.
By bringing together a diverse array of research, this Special Issue aims to showcase the latest advances in polymer-based approaches to combat viral diseases and provide insights into how material science can revolutionize our preparedness and response to current and future viral threats.
Dr. Alberto Falco
Dr. Ling Ding
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Polymers is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- polymer-based diagnostics for viral detection
- antiviral coatings and surfaces
- polymer-based drug delivery and controlled-release systems
- role of polymers in vaccine formulation and adjuvant technology
- biodegradable and sustainable polymers for antiviral applications
- advanced polymer materials for understanding viral structure and dynamics
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