Announcements

In recognizing the exceptional efforts of our reviewers in 2023, we express our sincere gratitude for upholding the high standards of Biomolecules. Their commitment ensured the rigorous peer review that is integral to quality academic publishing.

In 2023, Biomolecules received 6050 review reports, from 5377 reviewers. This past year, we worked with reviewers from 82 countries and regions, reflecting the diversity in our collaboration with research communities. Their dedication shapes scholarly discourse and advances global research. The editorial team expresses gratitude for the vital role played by each reviewer in the Biomolecules family throughout 2023, and we look forward to their continued support in 2024.

The following are the reviewers who have consented to show their names:

The following is an interview with Ms. Elizabeth Hill:

1. Could you provide an overview of the research project that led to the award?
I am investigating the role of a recently identified genetic risk factor, syntaxin-6 (STX6), in prion diseases and related tauopathies. Using a functional genetics approach, I have generated both cellular and mouse models with manipulated syntaxin-6 expression for thorough characterization of both prion and tau phenotypes to further our knowledge of the molecular mechanisms through which syntaxin-6 affects disease susceptibility.

2. How did you come to choose this particular field of research?
Due to being personally touched by dementia in my family, I became incredibly motivated to contribute to research into neurodegeneration. I was fascinated by the concept of prions and how prion-like mechanisms are increasingly being unraveled in the more common neurodegenerative diseases.

3. Can you describe a specific challenge you have faced/are facing while conducting research and how you have overcome/are overcoming it?
When I started my Ph.D., I found public speaking extremely anxiety-provoking. However, by consistently putting myself in that uncomfortable position through institute-wide presentations, public engagement events, and also attending public speaking training, I have greatly improved.

4. How do you envision the impact of your research on the broader community or society?
My research informs on the mechanisms underlying disease susceptibility and the pathogenesis of prion diseases and tauopathies. I hope that this will provide another puzzle piece to further our understanding of these complex diseases, eventually aiding the development of disease-modifying treatments.

5. What is your impression of Biomolecules and open access publishing?
It allows research to reach a broader audience, allowing more people to access science from non-academic or low- and middle-income settings. Ultimately, I believe this results in scientific progress being maximized.

6. What are your overall thoughts about the conference, and besides winning the award, is there a moment that you particularly cherish from Prion 2023?
It was a wonderful conference with lots of exciting talks and insightful conversations. The moment I cherish the most is the overwhelming level of support I got from my work colleagues prior to presenting, who went over and above what I would have expected.

7. How did you celebrate winning the award, and do you have rituals to mark your accomplishments?
I shared my success with friends and family, and the accomplishment was warmly recognized by my institute.

8. What advice would you give to young researchers who are just starting their careers?
Take every opportunity to talk to people about your research and gain useful insights and expertise. Find good mentors. Take time to celebrate both the little and big successes.

Conference: The 14th World Meeting on Pharmaceutics, Biopharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology
Date: 18–21 March 2024
Location: Vienna, Austria

MDPI will be attending the 14th World Meeting on Pharmaceutics, Biopharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology at Booth #06, and we welcome researchers from different backgrounds to visit and share their latest ideas with us.

This conference has had an ever-increasing impact among pharmaceutical scientists, and it is organized every two years, in March or April of even years.

The entire spectrum of topics ranging from engineering aspects of the manufacturing process, the portfolio of commercially available excipients enabling the formulation of a large variety of medicinal products, the underlying physico-chemical principles, cutting-edge characterization techniques as well as potential pitfalls and hurdles to be overcome during product development, manufacturing and characterisation will be addressed.

Young and experienced scientists from academia and industry will present their latest research achievements in the form of poster presentations, allowing for fruitful scientific exchanges with the authors.

The meeting is intended to bring together people working in fundamental and applied academic research, in the chemical and pharmaceutical industry and the regulatory field, offering the opportunity to initiate fruitful discussions and collaborations.

The following MDPI journals will be represented:

• Pharmaceutics;
• Pharmaceuticals;
• IJMS;
• DDC;
• Molecules;
• Biomedicines;
• CIMB;
• Applied Biosciences;
• BioMedInformatics;
• Medicines;
• Cosmetics;
• Biomolecules.

1. Can you please briefly introduce yourself?
My name is Alessandro Paiardini. I am an Associate Professor of biochemistry and bioinformatics at Sapienza University, Rome. I have built a strong national and international reputation as an expert in drug design and computational structural biology. I completed my formal training with a Ph.D. in biochemical sciences in 2005, under the guidance of Prof. Francesco Bossa, a prominent figure in protein biochemistry. Throughout my doctoral studies, I developed significant expertise in various computational tools such as homology modeling, molecular dynamics, docking, and evolutionary analysis. These experiences laid the foundation for my enduring interest in structural biology.
Following my Ph.D., I pursued post-doctoral research on “Post-genomic Structural Biology” in the laboratory of Prof. Stefano Pascarella, a renowned expert in bioinformatics. This opportunity allowed me to delve deeper into my field. In 2006, I was appointed as a Research Scientist at the Department of Biochemical Sciences at Sapienza University. In the subsequent years, my research focused on unraveling the molecular intricacies of Pyridoxal-5’-phosphate-dependent enzymes. I explored various aspects, including the structure/function relationship, ligand binding, catalytic mechanisms, evolution, and folding of these enzymes. My work aimed to understand these processes at a molecular level and contribute valuable insights for developing therapeutic agents.
To tackle these complex challenges, I honed my skills in protein bioinformatics and gained proficiency in programming languages such as C, C++, Python, and Perl. I also designed algorithms for structural bioinformatics analysis. Additionally, I developed expertise in IT problem solving and management, enhancing my overall capabilities in the field.

2. What do you think of the development status and trends of open access publishing?
In a nutshell, open access has changed the way in which we share and access knowledge. It is making research more accessible, transparent, and collaborative. In the coming years, we can expect open access to become even more entangled in our daily work: it is not just about research papers anymore but also about educational materials, textbooks, early drafts of studies and online free congresses.

3. What is your impression of the Biomolecules journal?
In my opinion, Biomolecules is a reputable, peer-reviewed, scientific journal covering a wide range of topics in the fields of biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, and biophysics. In my experience as an editor, it has a rigorous review process and contributes to the scientific community by publishing high-quality research articles, reviews, and communications.

4. What do you think will be the research hotspots in the field of biomolecules in the next few years, and can you describe them to us?
Predicting specific research hotspots in any scientific field is of course challenging. However, the following topics are gaining momentum and could continue to be significant in the next few years:
1) Precision medicine and personalized therapies: Tailoring treatments based on a person’s genetic makeup and biomolecular profiles is likely to be a focus, leading to more effective and personalized therapies;
2) Structural biology and cryo-electron microscopy (Cryo-EM): Cryo-EM technology has revolutionized structural biology, allowing researchers to visualize biomolecular structures with unprecedented detail. Continued developments in this area may reveal new insights into complex biomolecular interactions, leading to drug discovery and targeted therapies;
3) Synthetic biology and bioengineering: The design and construction of novel biological parts, devices, and systems for useful purposes;
4) RNA biology: Research in this area is expanding. Understanding the roles of RNAs in gene regulation, disease processes, and therapeutics is likely to be a focus;
5) Bioinformatics and big data: The integration of biomolecular data with computational methods like AI will likely continue to be a significant area of research.

5. Can you give any advice on academic research for young scholars in related fields?
Scholars should build a strong foundation in biology, chemistry, mathematics, and computer science. Understanding the fundamentals is crucial for advanced studies in structural biology and bioinformatics. It is necessary to learn programming languages commonly used in bioinformatics, such as Python or R. Also, it is important to be familiar with relevant software tools and databases used in structural biology and bioinformatics. Most importantly, stay persistent, be resilient in the face of failures, and maintain your passion for the subject.

6. What are your expectations and outlook for this e-conference?
I would expect it to be a dynamic and interactive platform. The youngest scientists should have the most space and time to bring new ideas. It is nice to have workshops and panel discussions to provide opportunities for in-depth learning and knowledge exchange. Participants could delve into specific techniques and tools, for example. Virtual poster sessions would also be welcomed.

Nanomedicine and nanobiotechnology have tremendous potential for tomorrow’s patient care in a wide variety of disease management, and numerous theoretical concepts are currently being translated into preclinical and clinical studies. The fifth edition of the ICONAN conference brings together high-profile plenary speakers and world-class researchers who have successfully developed and translated nanomedicines over the last decades, offering a vibrant platform for oral and poster presentations, sponsor exhibits, and networking. The conference topics include targeted drug delivery, organ biodistribution and nanocarriers, nanomedicine for the immune system and cancer diagnosis and therapy, biological and medical nanodevices and biosensor 3D models, tissue engineering and regenerative nanomedicine toxicology, risk assessment of nanomedicine systems nano-imaging for diagnosis, etc.

MDPI will attend the International Conference On Nanomedicine And Nanobiotechnology (ICONAN 2024); we welcome researchers from different backgrounds to visit and share their latest ideas.

The following MDPI journals will be represented:

• Pharmaceutics;
• Nanomaterials;
• Biomolecules;
• Cosmetics;
• CIMB;
• Pharmaceuticals;
• Biosensors.

If you plan to attend this conference, please contact us online. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person and answering any questions that you may have. For more information about the conference, please visit the following website: https://premc.org/conferences/iconan-nanomedicine-nanobiotechnology/.

1. Can you please briefly introduce yourself?
I completed my Ph.D. at the University of Bern (Switzerland), followed by postdoctoral stints at the University of North Carolina (USA) and Imperial Cancer Research Fund (UK). After working at the Wellcome Sanger Institute as a Group Leader, I was appointed as Professor of Molecular Systems Biology at University College London (UK) in 2009, and as Director of UCL’s Institute of Healthy Ageing in 2019. Our laboratory studies cellular quiescence and aging using fission yeast and, recently, the turquoise killifish as model systems. We apply diverse genetic/genomic, cell biological, and computational approaches toward a systems-level understanding of genome regulation and function, ageing-associated processes, and the complex relationships between genotype, phenotype, and environment.

2. What do you think of the development status and trends of open access publishing?
I am a big fan of open access publishing and making research results available without delay on preprint servers. New approaches to peer review as pioneered by Review Commons or eLife, for example, are also promising to improve the publishing experience for authors and readers.

3. What is your impression of the Biomolecules journal?
Biomolecules underwent astonishing growth while maintaining quality peer review and rapid decision times.

4. What do you think will be the research hotspots in the field of biomolecules in the next few years, and can you describe them to us?
Single-cell approaches will become ever more important, including multi-omics and live-cell methods, and much progress may also be achieved at the interface of different disciplines, e.g., between biophysics and cell biology.

5. Can you give any advice on academic research for young scholars in related fields?
Pursue what interests you most rather than what is fashionable, and be resilient because research careers involve frequent rejections (papers, grant proposals, job positions).

6. What are your expectations for this e-conference?
I hope there will be stimulating, fresh insights and inspiring discussions.

We extend our sincere congratulations to the 769 Editorial Board Members of our journals – from 40 different countries/territories – who have been recognized as Highly Cited Researchers for the year 2023 by Clarivate. They are being recognized for their high-quality scientific research achievements and outstanding contributions to their professional fields, as indicated by Web of Science data.

Clarivate's annual list of Highly Cited Researchers^TM identifies the most highly cited scientists for the past decade who stand out for their significant and broad influence in various scientific and social science domains. Their impactful papers are among the top 1 per cent in the citation distribution of one or more of 21 fields analyzed in the "Essential Science Indicators", distinguishing them as hugely influential among their peers.

This year, 7,125 Highly Cited Researcher 2023 designations were issued to 6,849 individuals from 67 countries, representing just 1 in 1,000 researchers worldwide.

This means that these researchers have demonstrated an incredible level of significant and broad influence in their chosen field or fields over the last decade. They represent a small fraction of the researcher population whose contributions disproportionately push the boundaries of knowledge, enhancing global well-being, sustainability, and security.

Congratulations to the scholars for their noteworthy achievement – we are honored to have them on board with our journals!

We are pleased to announce that Prof. Dr. Hang Fai (Henry) Kwok has been appointed Section Editor-in-Chief of the Section “Natural and Bio-inspired Molecules” in Biomolecules (ISSN: 2218-273X).

The Section “Natural and Bio-inspired Molecules” focuses on papers in the area of natural product research. Contributions may be related to the chemistry and/or biochemistry of naturally occurring compounds or the biology of living systems from which they are sourced, as well as the chemistry and biological properties of synthetic natural compounds derivatives and/or structurally related compounds. For example, they may be articles that describe specific secondary metabolites of microorganisms, including antibiotics and mycotoxins; physiologically active compounds from plants or animal sources; and biochemical studies, including biosynthesis and microbiological transformations and the isolation, structure elucidation, chemical synthesis, and pharmacology of compounds from natural sources.

Articles related to the design and synthesis of new structures, inspired by those of natural compounds, in order to study and modulate their biological activities are also welcome. When new compounds are reported, manuscripts describing their biological activity are much preferred. Studies on complex mixtures of natural products must focus on specific compounds in regard to the pharmacological properties of the mixture.

Prof. Dr. Hang Fai (Henry) Kwok is an associate head and professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Macau, China. His research interests are focused on the areas of proteins (antigens), natural-based peptides (venom-based), and antibodies (targeted therapy/immunotherapy) in the battle against infectious diseases and cancer for novel drug discovery, development, and treatment.

The following is a short Q&A with Prof. Dr. Hang Fai (Henry) Kwok, who shared his vision for the journal with us, as well as his views on the research area and open access publishing:

1. What appealed to you about the journal that made you want to become its Section Editor-in-Chief?
I was thrilled by the journal with a specific Section focusing on natural and bio-inspired molecules, as it provides an ideal platform for conducting research spanning various areas, ranging from fundamental biomedical science and pharmacology studies to clinical investigations.

2. What is your vision for this Section?
This Section aims to serve as an excellent platform for biologists, pharmacists, and clinicians to showcase their cutting-edge research on natural and bio-inspired molecules, thereby expanding the frontiers of the field.

3. What does the future of this field of research look like?
Research on natural and bio-inspired molecules/compounds is a highly dynamic field encompassing a wide range of investigations. It involves understanding the intricate mechanisms by which these remarkable structural molecules interact with our biological systems, as well as exploring how the body responds to them as potential prototype drugs. This field explores the sources, biological effects, chemical properties, and diagnostic/therapeutic applications of natural and bio-inspired molecules. Being actively involved in this field is truly captivating, and the journal's Section “Natural and Bio-inspired Molecules” serves as a vital platform for researchers worldwide, facilitating effective communication and collaboration among experts in the field.

4. Do you have any suggestions for young researchers in this field?
Research is a journey of continuous learning and growth. Be persistent, curious, and open to new ideas and approaches. Young researchers should always stay updated and collaborate with others to keep themselves updated with the latest advancements, trends, and publications in their research area. In addition, attend conferences and join professional networks to stay connected with the research community to seek fruitful collaborations with other researchers both within and outside your institution. In my experience, collaborations provide opportunities for exchanging knowledge, learning from others' expertise, and conducting interdisciplinary research.

5. What do you think of the development of open access in the publishing field?
It is an essential trend in the field of publication. We can continue working together through the open access platform to get our peer-reviewed research to serve the scientific community.

We warmly welcome Prof. Dr. Hang Fai (Henry) Kwok as the Section Editor-in-Chief for “Natural and Bio-inspired Molecules”, and we look forward to him leading Biomolecules to achieve many more milestones.