About this Research Topic
Investigating the interaction between viruses and hosts and dissecting the pathogenic mechanism is of vital significance in developing great strategies to control the spread of the viruses. It is therefore important for the researchers to utilize effective methods to study the virus-host interactions. Since the virus-host interaction is a dynamic process, traditional methods based on population-based analysis including immunofluorescence, western blot, etc always give static results, fluorescence imaging thus represents a powerful tool to capture the underlying molecular events during this process. Over the past 20 years, several fluorescence imaging tools including single virus tracking, fluorescence complementation assay, and single molecule imaging, etc have enabled the visualization of viral particles, viral proteins, and host cellular components in real-time, and allowed the investigation of protein-protein interactions, signaling pathways, and cellular responses during viral infections. By visualizing and analyzing these complex interactions in real-time, researchers can uncover key molecular and cellular events that contribute to viral replication, immune evasion, and host defense mechanisms. In summary, fluorescence imaging tools provide a powerful and versatile approach to studying virus-host interactions, offering valuable insights into the intricate processes involved in viral infections and host responses.
The goal of this Research Topic is to highlight the current fluorescence imaging tools for monitoring the molecular events during the process of virus-host interactions. We try to gain a deeper understanding of the mechanisms underlying virus entry, fusion, replication, and egress at the cellular level or in animals. By using single molecular imaging, genetically encoded biosensors, single virus tracking, and so on, researchers aim to elucidate the key molecular events among virus-host interactions. Additionally, fluorescence-based assays can be also employed to investigate host immune responses, virus-induced cellular changes, and signaling pathways. The ultimate objective is to provide valuable insights into the development of novel antiviral strategies and the potential manipulations of host cell factors to prevent or control viral infections.
Authors are encouraged to submit Original Research, Review, Methods, Perspective, Mini Review, and Opinion articles that focus on, but are not limited to the following themes:
1. fluorescence imaging methods to visualize and track viral entry, intracellular trafficking, viral replication, and assembly processes within host cells.
2. fluorescence imaging tools to detect the molecular events (protein-protein interaction, protein-RNA interaction, RNA-RNA interaction etc) of virus-host interactions.
3. fluorescence imaging tools to investigate the role of the cytoskeleton during the process of the virus infection
4. fluorescence imaging tools to screen or evaluate the inhibitors during the process of the virus-host interactions.
5. fluorescence imaging tools to analyze host immune responses to viral infections.
6. fluorescence imaging tools to examine virus-induced cellular changes and signaling pathways.
The goal of this Research Topic is to highlight the current fluorescence imaging tools for monitoring the molecular events during the process of virus-host interactions. We try to gain a deeper understanding of the mechanisms underlying virus entry, fusion, replication, and egress at the cellular level or in animals. By using single molecular imaging, genetically encoded biosensors, single virus tracking, and so on, researchers aim to elucidate the key molecular events among virus-host interactions. Additionally, fluorescence-based assays can be also employed to investigate host immune responses, virus-induced cellular changes, and signaling pathways. The ultimate objective is to provide valuable insights into the development of novel antiviral strategies and the potential manipulations of host cell factors to prevent or control viral infections.
Authors are encouraged to submit Original Research, Review, Methods, Perspective, Mini Review, and Opinion articles that focus on, but are not limited to the following themes:
1. fluorescence imaging methods to visualize and track viral entry, intracellular trafficking, viral replication, and assembly processes within host cells.
2. fluorescence imaging tools to detect the molecular events (protein-protein interaction, protein-RNA interaction, RNA-RNA interaction etc) of virus-host interactions.
3. fluorescence imaging tools to investigate the role of the cytoskeleton during the process of the virus infection
4. fluorescence imaging tools to screen or evaluate the inhibitors during the process of the virus-host interactions.
5. fluorescence imaging tools to analyze host immune responses to viral infections.
6. fluorescence imaging tools to examine virus-induced cellular changes and signaling pathways.
Keywords: single virus imaging, fluorescence complementation assay, single-molecule imaging, real-time multicolor imaging, virus-host interactions
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.
