Integrated Genomic and Systems Approaches to Unravel Host-Virus Interactions in Viral Infectious Diseases

Understanding the complex interplay between viruses and their hosts is crucial for dissecting the mechanisms that underlie viral infectious diseases. With advances in genomics and systems biology, scientists can now explore host-virus interactions at an unprecedented scale. By integrating multi-omics data and sophisticated modeling approaches, researchers are unraveling the evolutionary arms race between viruses and their hosts, revealing key determinants of viral virulence, host susceptibility, and the molecular signals that influence disease outcomes.

This research theme highlights cutting-edge breakthroughs in viral genomics and systems-level studies of infection. It showcases how high-throughput technologies and computational strategies are transforming our knowledge of antiviral defense mechanisms, viral adaptation, and the emergence of resistance. Key areas of focus include:
- Genomic and Transcriptomic Profiling: Mapping host-virus molecular interactions and regulatory networks using next-generation sequencing and single-cell approaches.
- Mechanistic Studies of Virus Immune Evasion: Deciphering viral strategies for immune evasion, persistence, and mechanisms driving acute or chronic viral infections.
- Multi-Omics Integration: Combining genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics for discovering diagnostic biomarkers and novel antiviral therapeutic targets.
- Functional Genomics Tools: Leveraging CRISPR, RNA interference (RNAi), and single-cell techniques to interrogate viral gene function and host response in experimental infection models.
- Systems-Level Modeling and Simulations: Employing computational modeling to predict infection trajectories, virus spread, and host immune dynamics.
- Host Genetic and Epigenetic Factors: Investigating how host genetic variants and epigenetic modifications affect susceptibility, resistance, or progression in viral infections.

Together, these integrated approaches are accelerating our understanding of viral pathogenesis and informing the development of next-generation diagnostics, therapeutics, and preventive strategies in virology.

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Article types

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

• Brief Research Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review

Keywords: Viral genomics, Host-virus interactions, Multi-omics integration, Systems biology, Immune evasion, Antiviral defense mechanisms, Functional genomics, Computational modeling, Host susceptibility, Biomarker discovery

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