Imaging Neurotropic Viruses

Dear Colleagues,

Neurotropic viruses exploit the unique architecture and immune landscape of the nervous system, using specialized strategies of entry, spread, and immune evasion to establish acute or persistent infections. Advances in imaging technologies—from high-resolution fluorescence and live-cell microscopy to super-resolution and correlative approaches—are reshaping our understanding of these dynamic processes in real time. At the same time, innovative in vitro models such as neural organoids, primary neuronal cultures, air–liquid interface systems, and microphysiological platforms offer increasingly accurate tools for dissecting viral tropism, neuroinvasion, and host responses.

This Special Issue seeks original research manuscripts and review articles that provide new insights into the mechanisms by which neurotropic viruses infect and interact with neural tissues. We welcome contributions that leverage cutting-edge imaging methods, explore viral strategies of immune evasion, characterize host–virus dynamics in advanced neural models, or bridge imaging with systems-level analyses. Submissions combining mechanistic depth with technological innovation are particularly encouraged. Our goal is to highlight multidisciplinary research that advances fundamental knowledge and supports the development of future antiviral or neuroprotective interventions.

Dr. Elena Criscuolo
Dr. Salla Mattola
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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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. Viruses is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly 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 2600 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.