Insights into Viral Pathogenesis: Genetic Variability, Microbiome Interactions, and AI-Driven Predictive Modelling

In the realm of virology, comprehending virus-host interactions is pivotal for elucidating viral pathogenesis and formulating effective vaccines and antiviral therapies. Viruses have adopted sophisticated mechanisms to commandeer host cellular processes, exploiting these pathways to support their replication and persistence within the host.

These interactions, unfolding at molecular, cellular, and immunological strata, significantly impact the trajectory of infections and shape disease outcomes. Comparative genomic and transcriptomic research has illuminated how viruses tailor themselves to their hosts and skirt immune defences.

An ongoing research focus includes the role of genetic variability in viral adaptation and host susceptibility, especially regarding emerging viral threats. Recent studies have revealed the microbiome's role in modulating immune responses, either amplifying or mitigating viral pathogenesis, while also demonstrating how viral infections can alter the microbiome's composition, with potential long-lasting health consequences for the host.

This Research Topic aims to be a hub for propelling knowledge forward on virus-host interactions, with an emphasis on molecular immune evasion tactics, viral persistence, and the microbiome's involvement in infection modulation. Exploring the bidirectional effects between pathogenic viruses and host-microbiome interactions will enrich our comprehension of viral disease progression, potentially leading to innovative microbiome-focused therapeutic strategies. The utilization of artificial intelligence and computational models is breaking new ground in forecasting viral evolution and immune escape, laying the groundwork for improved pandemic preparedness. Through fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration, this Research Topic aims to catalyse transformative research that can guide the development of future preventive and therapeutic strategies.

To gather further insights in virus-host interaction studies, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
o Molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying virus-host interactions
o Strategies for immune evasion employed by viruses
o Genetic variability's impact on viral adaptation and host vulnerability
o The microbiome’s role in infection modulation
o Computational modelling of virus-host interactions and predictive frameworks

We encourage submissions encompassing original research, systematic reviews, methodological studies, and case reports. Contributions should comply with the journal's formatting and ethical standards to ensure scientific rigor and reproducibility. Interdisciplinary research melding virology, immunology, microbiome studies, and computational biology is particularly sought after.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Virus-Host Interactions, Viral Persistance, Microbiome, Immunological Dynamics, artificial intelligence

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.