This Satellite features researchers from the field of Physical Virology, which considers viruses not only as infectious biological entities, but also as molecular objects that have measurable physical properties. Complementing traditional virology approaches, studying the physical properties of viruses seeks to understand the form and function of virus components as they assemble, interact with cells, and direct cellular processes during infection. The field encompasses an extraordinary breadth of interdisciplinarity, combining theoretical and empirical research. Biophysical, biomolecular and chemical approaches are influenced by soft-matter physics, material science and computational protein design. The integration of these approaches propels this exciting field forward to discoveries in basic and applied science.

The physical and molecular understanding of viruses leads to fundamental understanding of viral function across the domains of life. At no time is this more keenly felt than during epidemics of human, animal and plant disease. The inherent interdisciplinarity of Physical Virology also transforms this knowledge into virus-based engineering innovations for creating new biotechnological products including vaccines, diagnostics, and gene delivery vectors. Moreover, in taking inspiration from protein cages in nature, novel applications in confined catalysis, biomaterials, and imaging agents are emerging.

The Physical Virology Satellite Meeting aims to stimulate interdisciplinary discussion between scientists with an interest in studying viruses from a physical and molecular perspective. Viral outbreaks such as the Covid 19 pandemic and hantavirus remind us of the importance of studying viral structures at a fundamental level – understanding their architecture and resulting physical properties can be the first steps to identifying treatments.