TY - JOUR TI - Formulas for death and life: Chemical composition and biothermodynamic properties of Monkeypox (MPV, MPXV, HMPXV) and Vaccinia (VACV) viruses AU - Popović Marko E JN - Thermal Science PY - 2022 VL - 26 IS - 6 SP - 4855 EP - 4868 PT - Article AB - Today, the World Health Organization has declared a global health emergency, caused by the Monkeypox outbreak. In the monthly analysis for June, 3500 cases have been reported in 50 countries around the world. In the analysis for July, more than 30000 cases have been reported in 75 countries. Thus, in the circumstances of the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, the appearance and dynamics of spreading of Monkeypox is alarming. In this paper, for the first time, elemental composition of Poxvirus, Monkeypox virus, and Vaccinia virus have been reported. Additionally, thermodynamic properties have been reported for nucleic acids, nucleocapsids, and entire virus particles. The similarity in chemical composition and thermodynamic properties of the analyzed viruses has been used to explain the crossed immunity to Poxviruses. Finally, binding thermodynamic properties have been reported for the Vaccinia virus.