Nano-targeting lessons from the SARS-CoV-2

•The new coronavirus can be regarded as a highly efficient targeted nanoparticle.•The SARS-CoV-2 tropism is favored by the viral surface organization.•S protein suffers on-site changes that feature a natural example of responsive targeting.•Nanoparticle functionalization results in non-homogeneous ligand arrangement.•Surface organization and stimuli-responsiveness may be key for bio-nanoparticles.