Reviews, Perspectives, and Commentaries in Viral Replication and Pathogenesis

Research on viral replication and pathogenesis has rapidly advanced over the last decade, mainly due to advance in experimental breakthroughs and the increasing integration of computational and mathematical models. Understanding the intricate processes through which viruses replicate and interact with host systems remains a critical field, especially considering the emergence of new viruses and recurrent outbreaks. With extensive literature available, there seems to still be the be vigorous debate around the best approaches to model viral dynamics, interpret host-pathogen interactions, and bridge the gap between predictive modelling and experimental validation. Recent studies have leveraged a combination of bioinformatics, systems biology, and in silico simulation to uncover novel viral strategies and host responses, yet there remain significant gaps in accurately predicting viral behaviour across diverse biological contexts and understanding how pathogenic mechanisms lead to clinical outcomes.

A plethora of new findings has challenged classical models, revealing unexpected complexities in viral entry, genome replication, and immune evasion. For instance, stochastic models and agent-based simulations have begun to elucidate the nuances of intra-host viral variability, while integrative models highlight the multi-scale nature of virus-host interplay. Such advancements underscore the necessity for updated perspectives, critical reviews, and forward-looking commentaries to evaluate the state of the art, identify methodological limitations, and propose new avenues of research. However, comprehensive syntheses and critical assessments that connect modelling approaches with virological discovery are still lacking in the literature.

This Research Topic aims to gather authoritative Reviews, Perspectives, and Commentaries that critically examine the modelling of viral replication and pathogenesis. The objective is to foster interdisciplinary dialogue, highlight conceptual and technological advances, and provide a platform for discussing future challenges and opportunities in the field. Submissions should address key principles, innovations, and debates, and may propose novel frameworks to unify experimental findings with computational insights.

To gather further insights into current advances and conceptual developments in this rapidly evolving field, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

o Critical reviews on current computational and mathematical models of viral replication

o Perspectives on the integration of multi-scale modelling and experimental virology

o Commentaries on emerging methodological challenges and technological innovations

o Analyses of modelling approaches in understanding viral pathogenesis and immune responses

o Bridging the gap between model predictions and experimental/clinical observations

o Future directions, conceptual models, and paradigm-shifting ideas in the field



This Research Topic welcomes article types including Mini-Reviews, and Hypotheses and Theory, alongside Reviews, Perspectives, and Commentaries