The emergence and pandemic spread of SARS-CoV-2 has raised fundamental, theoretical science to the level of immediate practice.

Evolutionary virologist Santiago Elena has spent 30 years researching combined experimental evolution, molecular genetics, systems biology, molecular epidemiology, mathematical modeling, and computer simulations to pursue the enigma of the virus. His group is currently applying their research into defective interfering particles-- the parts of a virus do not evolve-- toward finding antiviral treatments for SARS-CoV-2.

Elena is available to discuss different classes of antivirals, their relative strengths and weaknesses, antivirals versus vaccines, and general virology.

He is also available to comment on Remdesivir.

For additional background, read his recent "Complex Systems Perspective of Viruses"