Flaviviruses, a group of RNA viruses, are responsible for a spectrum of diseases such as dengue fever, Zika virus, yellow fever, and West Nile fever, posing a significant global public health challenge. With approximately 390 million infections and 96 million clinical cases annually, the need for effective prevention and control measures is critical. Vaccination remains the most promising strategy to combat these infections; however, existing vaccines have limitations in terms of efficacy, safety, and coverage. Recent advancements in vaccine development have introduced innovative strategies, yet there remains a pressing need to address emerging infectious diseases more effectively. Current research is exploring novel approaches, including nucleic acid-based vaccines, structural vaccinology, and genetically modified microorganisms, but gaps persist in understanding the host-virus interactions and optimizing vaccine delivery and manufacturing processes.
This research topic aims to explore and advance the development of new generation vaccine strategies against flavivirus infections. The primary objective is to investigate innovative approaches to vaccine design, including novel antigen development, adjuvant formulation, and delivery systems, to enhance the efficacy and durability of immune responses. Key questions include how to effectively design antigens that mimic the virus's structure, how to develop adjuvants that boost vaccine efficacy, and how to optimize nucleic acid-based vaccines. Additionally, the research will test hypotheses related to combination vaccines and alternative delivery routes to simplify and improve vaccination processes.
To gather further insights in the evolving landscape of flavivirus vaccine development, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Flavivirus and host immune interaction: Understanding the immune response to flavivirus infections.
- Novel Antigen Design: Innovative strategies for designing effective vaccine antigens.
- Novel Adjuvants: Development of new adjuvants to enhance vaccine efficacy.
- Nucleic Acid-Based Vaccines: Optimization of DNA and RNA vaccines for flavivirus.
- Combination Vaccines: Strategies for vaccines targeting multiple flaviviruses.
- Alternative Delivery Routes: Exploring new methods for vaccine administration.
- Manufacturing Technologies: Innovations in vaccine production to improve accessibility.
- Preclinical Pharmacology: Evaluation of vaccine efficacy using appropriate animal models.
Keywords: flavivirus, virus-host Interaction, innate immune response, adaptive immune responses
Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
