病毒研究為有關病毒結構、復制和發病機制的基礎研究的原始論文提供了一種快速出版的手段。這些報告包括描述病毒形態、病毒結構成分的功能和抗原分析、病毒基因組結構和表達、病毒復制過程分析、病毒對宿主細胞的影響，包括致癌基因激活和轉導、腫瘤轉化，以及病毒感染的發病機制，包括腫瘤誘導。該雜志還發表關于當前感興趣的主題的評論文章，偶爾還發表書籍評論和會議報告。

Virus Research provides a means of rapid publication for original papers on fundamental research concerning virus structure, replication, and pathogenesis. These include reports describing virus morphology, the function and antigenic analysis of virus structural components, virus genome structure and expression, analysis of virus replication processes, effects of viruses on their host cells, including oncogene activation and transduction, neoplastic transformation, and the pathogenesis of virus infections including tumour induction. The journal also publishes review articles on topics of current interest and occasional book reviews and meeting reports.