Enteroviruses Future: Omics, Molecular Biology and Control
Karla Kirkegaard
from: Enteroviruses: Omics, Molecular Biology, and Control (Edited by: William T. Jackson and Carolyn B. Coyne). Caister Academic Press, U.K. (2018) Pages: 1-6.
Abstract
At a time when poliovirus, the flagship Enterovirus, is at the brink of eradication, and while other enteroviruses are simultaneously just emerging as serious public health threats, studies focused on the enteroviruses and other picornaviruses are as important as ever. The true nature of cell exit and cell-to-cell movement by these viruses, for example, is only now being elucidated, particularly taking advantage of recent advances in cell modelling of physiologically relevant cell systems. Modern genomic techniques are just beginning to allow a population-level understanding of mutation and adaptation in these viruses, and are sure to reveal novel drug targets based on the cis/trans genetics of viral genomic regions. Continued understanding of the basic life cycle of these viruses, and of their genomes, will allow novel avenues of vaccine development. In the slightly more distant future, infection by enteroviruses will be rapidly diagnosed and treatments may be tailored by personalized medicine. Finally, enteroviruses are only beginning to be used as tools, particularly as anti-cancer therapeutics. It is impossible to see the future, but as the field moves forward, it is clear that both basic and applied Enterovirus research will remain an important topic for decades to come read more ...
