病毒學已經發展到以病毒基因及其功能研究為主的階段。關于所有病毒基因動物、昆蟲、植物和細菌的新信息正在被報道。關于病毒基因的組織、蛋白質產物以及它們在感染和疾病中的作用，越來越多的人開始關注。《病毒基因》致力于發表有關病毒基因結構和功能的研究，為傳播數據和分析該領域的發展提供一個論壇。《病毒基因》是發表所有病毒屬和科基因的實驗和計算機研究的平臺。此外，該雜志還強調對當前發展的評估，以及在處理病毒基因的科學問題上的評論和通信。《病毒基因》發表了關于以下主題的原著：原核生物和真核生物系統中所有病毒家族的病毒基因的克隆和表達；病毒基因序列分析的研究；基因分析的計算機程序；病毒基因產物；病毒基因功能的調節；病毒基因及其功能的分析。基于序列分析；病毒基因在疾病中的作用；影響基因功能的抗病毒藥物；病毒基因的綜述和比較方面。

Virology has progressed to a phase in which it is dominated by studies on virus genes and their functions. New information on all virus genes ? animal insect plant and bacterial ? is being reported. More light is being shed on the organization of the viral genes their protein products and their role in infection and disease. Virus Genes is dedicated to the publication of studies on the structure and function of virus genes providing a forum for the dissemination of data as well as for the analysis of developments in the field. Virus Genes serves as a platform for the publication of experimental and computer studies on genes from all virus genera and families. Furthermore the journal emphasizes evaluations of current developments as well as reviews and correspondence on scientific matters dealing with virus genes. Virus Genes publishes original work on the following subjects: cloning and expression of viral genes from all virus families in prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems; studies on the sequence analysis of virus genes; computer programs for gene analysis; virus gene products; regulation of virus gene function; analysis of virus genes and their functions based on sequence analyses; the role of virus genes in disease; antivirals affecting gene function; reviews and comparative aspects of virus genes.