abstract
- The cover feature image shows nucleic acid aptamers armed and ready for our battle against the monstrous SARS-CoV-2 virus. Often thought of as "chemical antibodies", these molecular recognition elements are equipped with several unique benefits and have thus been a popular research subject worldwide. Many aptamers for recognizing the spike and nucleocapsid proteins of SARS-CoV-2 have been developed and examined as diagnostic and therapeutic weaponry for the war against COVID-19 and future pandemics. More information can be found in the Review by J. D. Brennan, Y. Li, and co-workers.