What We're Still Learning from COVID-19

COVID-19 research has been critical in advancing our molecular understanding of viral mechanisms, therapeutic targets, and drug resistance, while accelerating the development of antivirals, vaccines, and delivery technologies such as mRNA nanoparticles. Collectively, these studies not only address immediate challenges posed by SARS-CoV-2 but also provide insights that strengthen global preparedness for future infectious disease outbreaks.

ACS Publications is partnering with the ACS Webinars team to host a FREE webinar on Thursday, August 6, 2026 (11:00am to 12:30pm ET).

Prof. Wenshe Liu at Texas A&M University will discuss the discovery of novel regulatory mechanisms and antiviral strategies targeting the SARS-CoV-2 main protease, including a unique SONOS crosslink, highly potent isoquinoline inhibitors, and dual covalent bond formation with the catalytic dyad. Prof. Jayasri Das Sarma at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Kolkata how decades of murine β-coronavirus research have revealed the mechanisms of viral neuroinvasion, host neuroimmune responses, and shared pathways underlying COVID-19–associated neurological complications, pointing toward novel therapeutic strategies. This webinar is moderated by Prof. Scott Pegan from University of California, Riverside.

Register now for the free webinar to gain an understanding of how coronavirus biology, from CNS invasion and neuroimmune responses to protease-targeted antiviral discovery, can lead to cutting-edge therapeutic strategies for COVID-19.

In conjunction with this webinar, ACS Publications has curated a collection of recent, high-impact research articles covering a wide range of topics, including:

• Antiviral drug discovery and resistance
• Structural biology and viral mechanisms
• Spike protein pathology and neurodegeneration links
• Antibody and vaccine development
• RNA and mRNA delivery technologies delivery platforms for RNA therapeutics feature prominently.
• Materials and protective technologies
• Comparative and translational COVID-19 insights

We invite you to explore this collection to discover the rapidly evolving innovations shaping the future of COVID-19 research and therapeutics.

Explore Recent COVID-19 Research from ACS Journals

Structure-Based Design of Covalent SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease Inhibitors Targeting the Nirmatrelvir-Resistant E166 Mutants

PEG-free Lipid Nanoparticles for mRNA Delivery: Superhydrophilic Sulfoxide Polymer Coatings

SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Amyloid Fibrils Impair Fibrin Formation and Fibrinolysis

Simulation Insights into the Assembly of Polyplexes for RNA Delivery

5 Years of COVID Research: Highlights from Outbreak to the Present

Exploring SARS-CoV-2 Spike RBD Pockets as Targets for Generic Drugs: A Combined Computational, Biophysical, and Biological Approach

An Amyloidogenic Fragment of the Spike Protein from SARS-CoV-2 Virus Stimulates the Aggregation and Toxicity of Parkinson’s Disease Protein Alpha-Synuclein

Rapid Discovery of Potent Neutralizing Antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 through Directed Evolution of SARS-CoV-1 Antibodies

Discovery of the Clinical Candidate S-892216: A Second-Generation of SARS-CoV-2 3CL Protease Inhibitor for Treating COVID-19

Probing SARS-CoV-2 G-Quadruplexes in the Nsp3 Gene Segment by Fluorescence and 19F NMR Using a Functionalized Nucleoside Analog

SnO₂NPs as a Nontoxic Antiviral Agent for Designing Protective Masks against Human Coronavirus Infection

Spike Protein–Fibrinogen Interaction: A Novel Immune Evasion Strategy of SARS-CoV-2?

Gag HIV-1 Virus-like Particles and Extracellular Vesicles Functionalization with Spike Epitopes of SARS-CoV-2 Using a Copper-Free Click Chemistry Approach

Silver Nanoparticles-Functionalized Textile against SARS-CoV-2: Antiviral Activity of the Capping Oleylamine Molecule

Duplex Unwinding Mechanism of Coronavirus MERS-CoV nsp13 Helicase

An Investigation of Nirmatrelvir (Paxlovid) Resistance in SARS-CoV-2 M^pro

The Road Ahead: Advancing Antifungal Vaccines and Addressing Fungal Infections in the Post-COVID World

Enhancing Immune Responses against SARS-CoV-2 Variants in Aged Mice with INDUK: A Chimeric DNA Vaccine Encoding the Spike S1-TM Subunits

Fragment-Based Screen of SARS-CoV-2 Papain-like Protease (PL^pro)

New Strategies for Responding to SARS-CoV-2: The Present and Future of Dual-Target Drugs

Advancing mRNA Therapeutics: The Role and Future of Nanoparticle Delivery Systems

Development of Electrospun Polyacrylonitrile Aerosol Filter Media for Respiratory Personal Protective Equipment

Cathepsin-Targeting SARS-CoV-2 Inhibitors: Design, Synthesis, and Biological Activity

3D Holo-tomographic Mapping of COVID-19 Microclots in Blood to Assess Disease Severity

Development of a Manufacturing Process toward the Convergent Synthesis of the COVID-19 Antiviral Ensitrelvir

SARS-CoV-2 M^pro Protease Variants of Concern Display Altered Viral Substrate and Cell Host Target Galectin-8 Processing but Retain Sensitivity toward Antivirals

Predicting Antiviral Resistance Mutations in SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease with Computational and Experimental Screening

Interactions between SARS-CoV-2 N-Protein and α-Synuclein Accelerate Amyloid Formation

Multiple Roles of SARS-CoV-2 N Protein Facilitated by Proteoform-Specific Interactions with RNA, Host Proteins, and Convalescent Antibodies

Polymer Materials for Respiratory Protection: Processing, End Use, and Testing Methods