Viral genome

A **viral genome** refers to the complete genetic material contained within a virus particle. Unlike standard therapeutic targets—which are usually distinct proteins or molecules amenable to direct pharmacological targeting (such as enzymes, receptors, or ion channels)—the viral genome is *not* a specific gene, protein, or receptor, but rather encompasses the total DNA or RNA sequence unique to each virus. Viral genomes come in diverse forms: they can be composed of DNA or RNA, which may be single-stranded or double-stranded, linear or circular, and may vary significantly in size and organization[1][3][9]. The classification of viruses frequently uses the nature of the viral genome as a core criterion, as seen in the Baltimore classification system, which groups viruses by their genome type and method of mRNA synthesis[1][3][5][9]. The viral genome encodes all the information necessary for the production of new viral particles within a host cell but cannot function or replicate independently—it requires the machinery of a host cell to propagate[1][9][10]. Due to this broad definition, "viral genome" is not a direct therapeutic target but rather an umbrella term referring to the nucleic acid component across all viruses. Drugs that interact with viruses typically target specific viral enzymes (such as polymerases or proteases) or structures, or they inhibit the processes of replication or transcription directed by the viral genome, rather than the genome itself.

Other names

Viral genetic materialVirus genomeVirus nucleic acid