A CRITICAL REVIEW ON HEAT AND MASS TRANSFER MODELLING OF VIRAL INFECTION AND VIRION EVOLUTION The case of SARS-CoV2

Trancossi, M.; Pascoa, J. C.; Sharma, S.

Is it possible to characterize the SARS-CoV-2 viral infection by analysing the viral hijacking of cellular metabolism for its reproduction and multiplication? Gibbs free energy appears to be the critical factor of successful virus infection. A virus always has a more negative Gibbs free energy of growth than its host. Hence, the synthesis of viral components is thermodynamically favourable. On the other side, it could be essential to better thermodynamically understand how S1 and S2 spike protein interacts with the ACE2 receptors and the cell membrane more efficiently than the usual nutrients, which are intercepted. Gibbs energy gives a static model, which does not include the time arrow of viral evolution. A better comprehension of this evolutional path could require an accurate analysis of entropy generation or exergy disruption of binding, replication, and multiplication. © 2021 Society of Thermal Engineers of Serbia. All Rights Reserved.