Bálint Kiss

Introduction Click to copy section linkSection link copied! SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) is an enveloped, positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus that primarily causes mild infections of the upper and/or lower respiratory tract. (1) The severity of symptoms, disease progression, and prognosis are influenced by various factors. (2) The recent pandemic has revealed that gaining a deeper understanding of this virus and its intricate properties is of great importance.

In order to survive, viruses must be able to copy themselves to make more viral particles. They do this by passing their genetic material to a host cell that can replicate their DNA and produce the components required to assemble more viruses. While all viruses have evolved remarkable mechanisms to ensure the successful completion of their life cycle, viruses containing double-stranded DNA display some of the most ingenious molecular tricks nature has to offer.

The last two authors, Krisztián Szigeti and Domokos Máthé, should be noted as contributing equally to this work. Reference 1. Hegedűs N, Forgách L, Kiss B, Varga Z, Jezsó B, Horváth I, et al. (2022) Synthesis and preclinical application of a Prussian blue-based dual fluorescent and magnetic contrast agent (CA). PLoS ONE 17(7): e0264554.