On The Structural Dynamics of SARS CoV-2 Spike Protein. October 2021, Oil colours on canvas. I got the inspiration for this artwork from two different spheres, the artistic one is Gerhard Richter’s realistic-abstract paintings “Roses [799-2], and the scientific side is from papers that deciphered many key points regarding the function, structure, state and genetics of the infamous SARS CoV-2 spike protein; “Exposing structural variations in SARS-CoV-2 evolution” and “SARS-CoV-2 variants, spike mutations and immune escape” published in Scientific reports and nature reviews microbiology, respectively. In this artwork, I tried to combine the artistic technique of Gerhard Richter with the dynamics and variability of the subunits of the protein (according to my simple understanding of the research papers). Laymen are thoughtless that proteins (generally speaking) are highly adaptable and dynamic, unlike many familiar molecules like lipids or carbohydrates. Such adaptability allows different reactions to occur, resulting in different physiological and pathological responses. And those responses vary from the sub-molecular level into the communal-societal levels. Cover by Ali Alnasser.

On the cover: NAMRU SOUTH is a research command that focuses on the surveillance of infectious diseases and pathogen detection and characterization, with laboratories specializing in bacterial, parasitic, respiratory, and acute febrile infections. NAMRU SOUTH’s expertise includes applied research to evaluate and test new vaccines, prevention strategies, treatment modalities, diagnostics, and novel insect control measures. NAMRU SOUTH’s main research facility is located at the Peruvian Naval Medical Center in Callao, Peru, along with a satellite laboratory at the Naval Clinic in Iquitos, Peru. Additionally, the command has another small laboratory located at Soto Cano Air Base in Honduras. These are indicated by red dots on the map. Cover Art submitted by Mr. Tommy Lamkin, NMRC Public Affairs.

On the cover: Far beyond Sars-CoV-2, the panel of exchanged respiratory pathogens is broad and evolves over time, as illustrated by the spiral of names in the middle of the figure. The grid pattern in upper left and lower right corners symbolises the detection methods of molecular biology or the predictive algorithms used by artificial intelligence. Cover Art by Sophie Blumental.

Credit: Created with Freepik.

Cover Art legend: An opt-SNE map of circulating γ δ T cell subsets from the study participants of an HIV and Aging cohort (n=91); each color represents a unique cluster as determined by PhenoGraph. The article containing the cover art used here appeared in The Journal of Infectious Diseases Volume 229, Issue 5. Publisher’s Note: In the publication of The Journal of Infectious Diseases, Volume 231, Issue 2, the art selected for the cover of this issue was incorrectly attributed to Ali Alnasser, whose art appeared on the cover of Volume 231, Issue 1. The artist whose work appears on the cover of Volume 231, Issue 2 is Sophie Blumental. The artist’s name has been updated for readers accessing issue materials on the JID journal issues page. The Publisher sincerely apologizes for the error made in the print issue.

On the cover: Rickettsia rickettsii subsp. californica subsp. nov. bacteria in the cytosol of an infected Vero E6 cell. Individual rickettsiae appear as short rods (upper left, lower right), averaging 1.4 μm in length by 0.4 μm in width, with a trilaminar cell wall surrounded by an approximately 40-nm, electron-lucent zone. Rickettsia rickettsii subsp. californica, previously designated Rickettsia 364D, is the causative agent of an emerging spotted fever rick-ettsiosis in California called Pacific Coast tick fever. Four percent uranyl acetate and Reynold’s lead citrate stain. (Image: Hannah Bullock Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)