Announcements

MDPI is delighted to announce the establishment of the Michele Parrinello Award. Named in honor of Professor Michele Parrinello, the award celebrates his exceptional contributions and his profound impact on the field of computational physical science research.

The award will be presented biennially to distinguished scientists who have made outstanding achievements and contributions in the field of computational physical science—spanning physics, chemistry, and materials science.

About Professor Michele Parrinello

"Do not be afraid of new things. I see it many times when we discuss a new thing that young people are scared to go against the mainstream a little bit, thinking what is going to happen to me and so on. Be confident that what you do is meaningful, and do not be afraid, do not listen too much to what other people have to say.”

——Professor Michele Parrinello

Born in Messina in 1945, he received his degree from the University of Bologna and is currently affiliated with the Italian Institute of Technology. Professor Parrinello is known for his many technical innovations in the field of atomistic simulations and for a wealth of interdisciplinary applications ranging from materials science to chemistry and biology. Together with Roberto Car, he introduced ab initio molecular dynamics, also known as the Car–Parrinello method, marking the beginning of a new era both in the area of electronic structure calculations and in molecular dynamics simulations. He is also known for the Parrinello–Rahman method, which allows crystalline phase transitions to be studied by molecular dynamics. More recently, he has introduced metadynamics for the study of rare events and the calculation of free energies.

For his work, he has been awarded many prizes and honorary degrees. He is a member of numerous academies and learned societies, including the German Berlin-Brandenburgische Akademie der Wissenschaften, the British Royal Society, and the Italian Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei, which is the major academy in his home country of Italy.

Award Committee

The award committee will be chaired by Professor Xin-Gao Gong, a computational condensed matter physicist, academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and professor at the Department of Physics, Fudan University. Professor Xin-Gao Gong will lead a panel of several senior experts in the field to oversee the evaluation and selection process. The Institute for Computational Physical Sciences at Fudan University (Shanghai, China), led by Professor Xin-Gao Gong, will serve as the supporting institute for the award.

"We hope the Michele Parrinello Award will recognize scientists who have made significant contributions to the field of computational condensed matter physics and at the same time set a benchmark for the younger generation, providing clear direction for their pursuit—this is precisely the original intention behind establishing the award."

——Professor Xin-Gao Gong

The first edition of the award was officially launched on 1 November 2025. Nominations will be accepted before the end of March 2026. For further details, please visit mparrinelloaward.org.

About the MDPI Sustainability Foundation and MDPI Awards

The Michele Parrinello Award is part of the MDPI Sustainability Foundation, which is dedicated to advancing sustainable development through scientific progress and global collaboration. The foundation also oversees the World Sustainability Award, the Emerging Sustainability Leader Award, and the Tu Youyou Award. The establishment of the Michele Parrinello Award will further enrich the existing award portfolio, providing continued and diversified financial support to outstanding professionals across various fields. 

In addition to these foundation-level awards, MDPI journals also recognize outstanding contributions through a range of honors, including Best Paper Awards, Outstanding Reviewer Awards, Young Investigator Awards, Travel Awards, Best PhD Thesis Awards, Editor of Distinction Awards, and others. These initiatives aim to recognize excellence across disciplines and career stages, contributing to the long-term vitality and sustainability of scientific research.

Find more information on awards here.

We are delighted to invite you to our upcoming webinar focused on the exciting advances and emerging applications of organ-on-a-chip technologies. As these platforms continue to reshape drug discovery, disease modeling, and translational research, this webinar offers an opportunity to hear directly from leaders at the forefront of innovation.

We are honored to welcome three distinguished speakers:

• Dr. Girija Goyal is an immunologist developing organ-on-chip immune models used across pharma and academia, currently advancing injectable lymphoid organs for ovarian cancer through an ARPA-H Spark award while leading organ-on-chip disease programs at the Wyss Institute;
• Dr. Sasha Berdichevski is a Biomedical Scientist and founder of SciBer Ltd, dedicated to driving the development and global adoption of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs). She currently serves as Mepsgen’s Head of Innovation and Business Development for Europe, where she leads the integration of automated organ-on-a-chip and nanoparticle synthesis technologies into drug development and translational research;
• Dr. Paul Holloway is Lead of the Microfluidic Neurological Models Lab at Oxford, applying his neurovascular and microfluidic engineering background to develop advanced neurovascular-unit chips and incorporate circadian biology into microfluidic stroke models.

Together, they will share insights into cutting-edge developments, practical implementation, and the future potential of these systems to accelerate more ethical and effective biomedical innovation.

We warmly invite researchers, industry professionals, students, and anyone interested in next-generation in vitro technologies to join us for this dynamic and informative session. We look forward to seeing you there.

Date: 13 February 2026
Time: 3:00 p.m. CET | 2:00 p.m. GMT | 9:00 a.m. EST
Register in advance for this webinar at the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/5617655597035/WN_5nlquOd5TBm-3wDyRLfYiw
Webinar ID: 811 9745 4641
Webinar Secretariat: journal.webinar@mdpi.com
Webinar announcement: https://sciforum.net/event/Biology-8?subscribe

Register now for free!

Program:

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information on how to join the webinar. Registrations with academic or institutional email addresses will be prioritized. 

Unable to attend? Feel free to still register; we will inform you when the recording is available.

Webinar Chair and Keynote Speakers:

• Dr. Julia Mantaj, School of Applied and Health Sciences, London South Bank University, London SE1 0AA, UK;
• Dr. Gastón A. Primo, Clarence Centre for Enterprise & Innovation, London South Bank University, London SE1 0AA, UK;
• Dr. Girija Goyal, Principal Scientist, Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University;
• Dr. Sasha Berdichevski, SciBer Ltd, England, UK;
• Dr. Paul Holloway, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, UK.

Relevant Special Issue:
“Organ-on-a-Chip: Biology Meets Technology”
Guest Editor: Dr. Julia Mantaj
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2025

Name: Prof. Yu Ding
Affiliation: School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
Interests: autophagy; lysosome; nanobody; neurology; biophysics; targeted degradation; PROTACs; molecular glue; ATTEC degradation technology; protein structure

1. Could you briefly introduce yourself and your current research to our readers?
I am a faculty member at the School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, and my research focuses on targeted protein degradation and binder-based regulation of disease-relevant targets. In particular, we are interested in multiple cellular degradation pathways, including the ubiquitin–proteasome system, endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation (ERAD), and autophagy- and lysosome-mediated degradation technologies such as ATTEC, as well as emerging modalities including PROTACs and molecular glues.
Another major direction of my work is the development and application of high-affinity binders—especially nanobodies—as versatile tools to modulate protein function, localization, and stability. These binders serve not only as basic research tools but also as starting points for therapeutic intervention. More recently, we have been integrating AI-assisted protein design and structural biology to accelerate binder discovery and to better understand degradation mechanisms at the molecular level.

2. What were the main challenges and innovations in your research field?
One major challenge in targeted protein degradation is translating innovative concepts into clinically approved drugs while selecting the most appropriate degradation pathway for a given target. The field is rapidly moving toward clinical relevance, as exemplified by compounds such as KT-621 from Kymera, which targets STAT6 and demonstrates how small-molecule degraders can potentially replace antibody-based therapies, offering distinct competitive advantages.
From a mechanistic perspective, another key challenge is to clearly understand and control different degradation routes, including proteasome-dependent degradation, ERAD for membrane and secretory proteins, and lysosome-mediated pathways. Each pathway has unique molecular requirements, spatial constraints, and safety considerations, making mechanistic clarity essential for rational degrading design.
For binder-based strategies, innovation lies in going beyond target binding toward functional modulation and degradation. This includes identifying binders that can effectively engage ERAD or lysosomal machinery, addressing issues such as humanization and in vivo applicability, and exploring hybrid approaches that combine small molecules and biologics. Concepts such as ADC-like designs, multispecific antibodies, and modular binder assemblies are opening new opportunities to target previously inaccessible proteins.

3. How do you see the research trends in this field, and what advice would you give to early career researchers?
This field is evolving extremely fast, driven by new technologies in chemistry, structural biology, AI, and cell biology. Targeted degradation and binder-based modulation are expanding beyond oncology into neurology, immunology, and metabolic diseases.
For early career researchers, my advice is to actively embrace new tools and interdisciplinary approaches. A strong foundation in basic biology remains essential, but the ability to integrate computation, structural insights, and translational thinking will be increasingly important. Most importantly, researchers should aim to ask meaningful biological and clinical questions and use the most appropriate technologies to address them efficiently.

4. What appealed to you about the journal that made you want to take the role as its Section Editor-in-Chief?
What attracted me most to Biology is its broad scope and its emphasis on open, rigorous, and timely dissemination of scientific knowledge. As Section Editor-in-Chief, I see this role as an opportunity to engage more closely with the scientific community, facilitate high-quality academic exchange, and help translate scientific advances into broader societal impact.
Serving the community and promoting the healthy development of the field are responsibilities I value highly, and Biology provides an excellent platform to achieve these goals.

5. What is your vision for the journal?
Biology covers a very wide range of disciplines, which I see as a major strength. My vision is to further enhance the journal’s role as a platform that bridges fundamental biology, technological innovation, and translational research.
For the “Biotechnology” Section in particular, I hope to promote studies that are not only technically sound but also conceptually clear and forward-looking. Encouraging interdisciplinary work, mechanistic depth, and clinical relevance will be key priorities. Ultimately, I hope the journal will continue to grow as a trusted venue that reflects both the diversity and the vitality of modern biological research.

We have expanded our open access portfolio with eight new journals publishing their inaugural issues in December 2025, as well as three journal transfers. These additions span physical sciences, social sciences, arts and humanities, environmental and Earth sciences, medicine and pharmacology, and public health and healthcare. We extend our sincere thanks to the Editors-in-Chief, Associate Editors, and Editorial Board Members who are shaping these journals’ direction. All journals uphold strong editorial standards through a thorough peer review process, ensuring impactful open access scholarship.

Please feel free to browse and discover more about the new journals below.

We would like to thank everyone who has supported the development of open access publishing. If you would like to create more new journals, you are welcome to send an application here, or contact the New Journal Committee (newjournal-committee@mdpi.com).

Vision is one of our most vital senses, and its loss has profound effects on quality of life. Recent scientific developments are shedding new light on how visual and immune functions are interconnected, challenging long-held assumptions. For example, more than a decade ago, machine-learning analyses suggested that rhodopsin, the key photoreceptor in dim-light vision, may interact with chemokines traditionally associated with the immune system. What once seemed unlikely is now supported by growing evidence linking retinal health, immunity, and disease.

The eye depends on the immune system for protection, yet immune activity also contributes to allergies, autoimmune responses, and retinal degeneration, including conditions such as diabetic retinopathy and retinitis pigmentosa. Further research shows that the retina not only attracts immune cells but can also generate them, underscoring the complexity of this cross-system relationship.

To explore these insights and their implications for eye health, we have invited several leading experts to share their perspectives. We warmly invite you to join us for this event and take part in a dynamic discussion on the evolving connection between vision and the immune system.

We warmly invite you to join us for this thought-provoking discussion and contribute to advancing a deeper understanding of the dynamic relationship between vision and the immune system.

Date: 12 January 2026 at 10:00 a.m. MST | 6:00 p.m. CET
Webinar ID: 894 4670 0845
Website: https://sciforum.net/event/Biology-7

Register now for free!

Program:

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information on how to join the webinar. Registrations made with academic institutional email addresses will be prioritized.

Unable to attend? Register anyway and we will let you know when the recording is available to watch online.

Webinar Chair and Speakers:

• Prof. Judith Klein-Seetharaman (Chair), Arizona State University, USA;
• Prof. Vishwanath Venketaraman, Western University of Health Sciences, USA;
• Prof. Bikash Pattnaik, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA;
• Prof. Sampath Rangasamy, Arizona State University, USA.

Conference: British Society for Developmental Biology 2026 Spring Meeting
Organizer: British Society for Developmental Biology
Date: 23–26 March 2026
Location: Coventry, UK

A number of MDPI journals will be attending BSDB 2026 as an exhibitor. This meeting will be held in Coventry, UK, from 23 to 26 March 2026.

The British Society for Developmental Biology is delighted to announce its 2026 Spring Meeting, themed "Molecules to Morphogenesis". Taking place at The Oculus, University of Warwick, this annual flagship event brings together a dynamic international research community, showcasing research on cutting-edge animal and plant developmental systems.

The following MDPI journals will be represented at the conference:

• Biology;
• JDB;
• Taxonomy;
• NeuroSci;
• Cells;
• Applied Biosciences;
• CIMB;
• Biomolecules.

If you are planning to attend the above conference, please feel free to stop by our booth (#9). Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person to answer any questions that you may have.

International Day of Epidemic Preparedness is an annual observance aimed at enhancing awareness of epidemic prevention, preparedness and response, fostering a deeper recognition of the urgency to strengthen global resilience against infectious disease outbreaks, while also drawing attention to the widespread health, economic and social burdens that epidemics impose—especially on vulnerable populations and under-resourced regions. This day highlights the pivotal role that collective action plays in advancing epidemic surveillance, early warning systems, vaccine and therapeutic development, and equitable access to medical supplies and care, thereby reinforcing the imperative for robust and proactive epidemic preparedness.

“Structural Insights into the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein and Its Implications for Antibody Resistance”
by Yuichiro Yamamoto and Kohji Noguchi
Biomolecules 2025, 15(11), 1489; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom15111489

“HSP60 and SARS-CoV-2: Les Liaisons Dangereuses”
by Adelaide Carista, Melania Ionelia Gratie, Francesco Cappello and Stefano Burgio
Biology 2025, 14(9), 1281; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14091281

“Impact of Obesity on Immunity to the Influenza Virus: Gut Microbiota, Mechanisms, and Novel Therapeutic Strategies”
by Xiaoyue Ji and Jing Sun
Diseases 2025, 13(8), 267; https://doi.org/10.3390/diseases13080267

“Immunological Strategies for Enhancing Viral Neutralization and Protection in Antibody-Guided Vaccine Design”
by Dimitrina Miteva, Maria Kokudeva, Latchesar Tomov, Hristiana Batselova and Tsvetelina Velikova
Biologics 2025, 5(3), 21; https://doi.org/10.3390/biologics5030021

“Manifestations of Post-COVID Syndrome in Healthcare Workers in Northeast England”
by Rachael K. Raw, Jon Rees, Deborah Wilson, Sharon Gowans, Ng Cho Ee and David Chadwick
COVID 2025, 5(6), 91; https://doi.org/10.3390/covid5060091

“Aptamer Development for SARS-CoV-2 and Omicron Variants Using the Spike Protein Receptor Binding Domain as a Potential Diagnostic Tool and Therapeutic Agent”
by Prasanna V. Shekar, Anuj Kumar, Nirmitee Mulgaonkar, Samneet Kashyap, Gourav Choudhir, Sandun Fernando and Sachin Rustgi
Biomolecules 2025, 15(6), 805; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom15060805

“The Global Burden of Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria”
by Andrea Marino, Antonino Maniaci, Mario Lentini, Salvatore Ronsivalle, Giuseppe Nunnari, Salvatore Cocuzza, Federica Maria Parisi, Bruno Cacopardo, Salvatore Lavalle and Luigi La Via
Epidemiologia 2025, 6(2), 21; https://doi.org/10.3390/epidemiologia6020021

“Intricacies of Global Tuberculosis Management—EndTB-2035 on the Fence?”
by Radha Gopalaswamy and Selvakumar Subbian
J. Respir. 2025, 5(1), 4; https://doi.org/10.3390/jor5010004

“Long COVID: General Perceptions and Challenges in Diagnosis and Management”
by Katia Ozanic, Aripuana Sakurada Aranha Watanabe, Alesandra Barbosa Ferreira Machado, Vania Lucia da Silva, Vanessa Cordeiro Dias and Claudio Galuppo Diniz
COVID 2025, 5(3), 41; https://doi.org/10.3390/covid5030041

“An Increase in Aspartate Aminotransferase Can Predict Worsening Disease Severity in Japanese Patients with COVID-19”
by Kengo Matsumoto, Tsutomu Nishida, Dai Nakamatsu, Masashi Yamamoto, Koji Fukui, Osamu Morimura, Kinya Abe, Yukiyoshi Okauchi, Hiromi Iwahashi and Masami Inada
Clin. Pract. 2024, 14(4), 1601-1614; https://doi.org/10.3390/clinpract14040129

“Arbovirus Transmission in Australia from 2002 to 2017”
by Elvina Viennet, Francesca D. Frentiu, Emilie McKenna, Flavia Torres Vasconcelos, Robert L. P. Flower and Helen M. Faddy
Biology 2024, 13(7), 524; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13070524

“Host Innate Antiviral Response to Influenza A Virus Infection: From Viral Sensing to Antagonism and Escape”
by Wenlong An, Simran Lakhina, Jessica Leong, Kartik Rawat and Matloob Husain
Pathogens 2024, 13(7), 561; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens13070561

“Colchicine—The Divine Medicine against COVID-19”
by Vanyo Mitev
J. Pers. Med. 2024, 14(7), 756; https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm14070756

“Towards Improved XAI-Based Epidemiological Research into the Next Potential Pandemic”
by Hamed Khalili and Maria A. Wimmer
Life 2024, 14(7), 783; https://doi.org/10.3390/life14070783

“Antimicrobial Efficacy of a Portable UV-C-Based Coating Activation Device against Candida albicans Biofilm and SARS-CoV-2 as an Additional Feature: An In Vitro Study”
by Adityakrisna Yoshi Putra Wigianto, Megumi Watanabe, Yuki Iwawaki, Takaharu Goto, Tamaki Otsuki and Tetsuo Ichikawa
Hygiene 2024, 4(1), 93-102; https://doi.org/10.3390/hygiene4010006

“Clinical and Epidemiological Study of Mycoses” Guest Editors: Dr. Yaxsier de Armas, Dr. Enrique J Calderón and Dr. Héctor Raúl Pérez-Gómez Submission deadline: 31 January 2026	“Genetics of Host–Pathogen Interactions” Guest Editors: Dr. Transito Garcia-Garcia and Dr. Sara Zaldívar López Submission deadline: 15 March 2026
“Microorganisms in Neglected Tropical Diseases” Guest Editors: Dr. Ana Abreu-Silva and Prof. Dr. Fernando Almeida-Souza Submission deadline: 31 March 2026	“Ecology and Evolution of Viral Pathogens: From Wildlife to Human Infections” Guest Editor: Dr. Fernando Spilki Submission deadline: 30 April 2026
“Epidemiology of Zoonotic Virus Transmission: Pathways, Host Factors, and Public Health Strategies” Guest Editor: Prof. Dr. Francisco José Nunes Antunes Submission deadline: 30 April 2026	“Advances in Coronaviruses Research: Pathogenesis, Immunity, and Antivirals” Guest Editor: Dr. Nadine Alvarez Submission deadline: 31 July 2026

Biology (ISSN: 2079-7737) announces the appointment of Prof. Dr. Oliver von Bohlen und Halbach (Universitätsmedizin Greifswald, Germany) as Section Editor-in-Chief (SEiC) of the “Neuroscience” Section. Prof. Dr. von Bohlen und Halbach has been a member of the Biology Editorial Board since 2021 and brings extensive editorial experience across neuroscience and related disciplines.

Prof. Dr. von Bohlen und Halbach is a professor of anatomy and cell biology at the Universitätsmedizin Greifswald. His research centers on neuroanatomy and cellular neuroscience, with a strong focus on neurotrophic signaling, dendritic spine structure, adult neurogenesis, neuronal and synaptic plasticity, and hippocampal and amygdala-related circuits. His work integrates molecular, cellular, and behavioral approaches, contributing to a deeper understanding of brain structure and function in health and disease.

In his role as SEiC, Prof. Dr. von Bohlen und Halbach will work with the Editorial Office and academic editors to support high-quality submissions and to further strengthen the “Neuroscience” Section as an open forum for fundamental and translational research.

The journal Biology covers all aspects of life sciences and provides scientists with excellent access to new research. An important discipline within biology is neuroscience, which now also has its own Section within the journal. I hope and believe that the Section “Neuroscience” will provide neuroscientists with a quick and efficient route to publish and share their knowledge internationally in a timely manner within a high-quality publication.  

The journal is well supported by an effective editorial team, which guarantees an efficient, high-quality review process and fast publication. I would like to see us adopt this standard for the Section “Neuroscience”. To achieve this goal, an active neuroscience community is required. Active support will also help to make the international neuroscience community more visible.

Neuroscience is one of the most fascinating disciplines in the field of life sciences. With few exceptions, nerve cells and/or nerve fibers are found in all organs and tissues. This means that we should not only focus on the function and mode of operation of nerve tissues in relation to each other, using a wide variety of methods, but also on their relations and associations with other tissues. Neuroscience is a discipline that continues to contribute to our fundamental understanding of biological processes in living organisms. This is also driven by the development of new techniques and methods, which, together with established methods, will advance knowledge.

Open access (OA) has significantly reshaped academic publishing, creating both new opportunities and challenges. OA is a publishing model that makes scholarly research freely available to readers, removing traditional paywalls. However, most OA journals shift publication costs from readers to authors, which can disadvantage early-career researchers or institutions with limited funding. Fortunately, several mechanisms exist to help reduce or overcome these barriers (see, for example, https://www.mdpi.com/ioap). Increasingly, countries require publicly funded research to be published in OA venues and provide dedicated financial support to make this possible. This is essential for ensuring that all researchers have better access to knowledge in their fields of interest and for enabling the rapid dissemination of scientific findings.

We wish Prof. Dr. Oliver von Bohlen und Halbach every success in his new position, and we look forward to their contributions to the journal.

We are pleased to announce updates to our article template, aimed at improving the readability and visual appeal of our publications. The following updates will be applied to articles published in volumes in 2026, starting from 19 December 2025.

Left information bar:

• Updated the logo and URL for “Check for updates”;
• Removed the “Citation” section (Note: Citation details remain accessible via “Cite” in the online article version);
• Changed the link in “Copyright” to a hyperlink format.

Footer:

• Added a DOI link at the bottom-right corner of each page.

The updated template is now available for download from the Instructions for Authors page of each journal.

We hope that the new version of the template will provide users with better experience and make the process more convenient.

For any questions or suggestions, please contact our production team at production@mdpi.com.