Virology from the perspective of theoretical colloid and interface science
Review article, 2021

Viral infections occur at very different length and time scales and include various processes, which can often be described using the models developed and/or employed in colloid and interface science. Bearing in mind the currently active COVID-19, I discuss herein the models aimed at viral transmission via respiratory droplets and the contact of virions with the epithelium. In a more general context, I outline the models focused on penetration of virions via the cellular membrane, initial stage of viral genome replication, and formation of viral capsids in cells. In addition, the models related to a new generation of drug delivery vehicles, for example, lipid nanoparticles with size about 100–200 nm, are discussed as well. Despite the high current interest in all these processes, their understanding is still limited, and this area is open for new theoretical studies.

Association

Nanoparticles

Dissociation

Virions

Diffusion

Respiratory droplets

Author

Vladimir Zhdanov

Chalmers, Physics

Russian Academy of Sciences

Current Opinion in Colloid and Interface Science

1359-0294 (ISSN) 18790399 (eISSN)

Vol. 53 101450

Subject Categories

Other Computer and Information Science

Biophysics

Bioinformatics (Computational Biology)

DOI

10.1016/j.cocis.2021.101450

More information

Latest update

6/7/2021 7