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Biomolecules
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Feature Papers in "Molecular Biology" Section 2026
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Feature Papers in "Molecular Biology" Section 2026

A special issue of Biomolecules (ISSN 2218-273X). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Biology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2026 | Viewed by 3472

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Claudia Tanja Mierke


Guest Editor
Faculty of Physics and Earth Science, Department of Biological Physics Division (Cancer Research), Peter Debye Institute for Soft Matter Physics, Leipzig University, Linnestrasse 5, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
Interests: mechanobiology; focal adhesions; vinculin; Rac1; integrins; collagen; cell migration
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The Special Issue will feature technical articles in the field of molecular biology to highlight the latest developments in this area. High-quality review articles and outstanding, in-depth original contributions are welcome. This year presents an opportunity to contribute to this Special Issue and make it a great success for the entire section. The wide range of articles and different topics will be considered, intended to reflect the breadth of the field of molecular biology research. Articles in the field of basic research and translation into medical areas are welcome, but this year, the focus should be on molecules that have recently become the subject of intense research, as well as on those that have been studied for a long time and are slowly falling into oblivion, despite their great scientific importance for molecular biology. In particular, I would like mechanobiological studies on different molecules receive to attention here as well. This Special Issue aims to highlight the importance of molecular biology and contribute to scientific excellence. I hope that many editors, reviewers, and new authors will feel inspired to get involved here.

Prof. Dr. Claudia Tanja Mierke
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Biomolecules is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • mechanobiology
  • cellular processes including metabolism, proliferation and motility
  • molecular motors and forces
  • molecular and biophysical techniques
  • organelle and membrane transport
  • exo- and endosomal trafficking
  • cell and biophysical signal transduction
  • the biomolecular synthesis of proteins, protein folding and post-translational modification of proteins and macromolecular assemblies

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Review

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17 pages, 2400 KB  
Review
The Interplay Between Immunometabolism and Neuroinflammation in Alzheimer’s Disease
by Tiziana Di Crescenzo, Giulio Papiri, Valentina Membrino, Sonila Alia, Monia Cecati, Roberto Campagna, Mauro Silvestrini, Simona Luzzi and Arianna Vignini
Biomolecules 2026, 16(5), 656; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom16050656 - 28 Apr 2026
Viewed by 371
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a multifactorial neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive cognitive decline and neuropathological hallmarks such as amyloid-β plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. In recent years, chronic neuroinflammation has emerged as a central mechanism linking genetic, metabolic, and immune dysfunctions in AD. Activated [...] Read more.
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a multifactorial neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive cognitive decline and neuropathological hallmarks such as amyloid-β plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. In recent years, chronic neuroinflammation has emerged as a central mechanism linking genetic, metabolic, and immune dysfunctions in AD. Activated microglia and astrocytes release pro-inflammatory cytokines and reactive oxygen species that exacerbate synaptic and neuronal injury, while impaired clearance mechanisms and blood–brain barrier disruption further sustain inflammation. A growing body of research highlights the role of immunometabolism—the bidirectional interaction between immune activation and cellular metabolism—in shaping glial phenotypes and disease progression. Dysregulation of glucose, lipid, and amino acid metabolism, together with alterations in key metabolites such as lactate, NAD+, and reactive oxygen species, promotes a maladaptive inflammatory state. Genetic factors including APOE4 and TREM2 variants affect microglial lipid handling pathways, while systemic metabolic disorders and gut microbiota alterations amplify neuroinflammatory cascades. Natural bioactive compounds, particularly polyphenols, have gained attention for their ability to modulate immunometabolic pathways. By activating AMPK and SIRT1 and inhibiting mTOR and NLRP3 inflammasome signaling, polyphenols may tune mitochondrial function, redox homeostasis, and autophagy, promoting adaptation to chronic metabolic stress. Therefore, metabolic-immune interactions represent pleiotropic therapeutic avenues for AD. Understanding how immunometabolites and nutrient-sensing pathways regulate compartmentalized inflammation in the CNS may pave the way for novel interventions that combine metabolic precision with neuroprotective efficacy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in "Molecular Biology" Section 2026)
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68 pages, 5065 KB  
Review
Nuclear Mechanics and Nuclear Mechanotransduction in Cancer Cell Migration and Invasion
by Claudia Tanja Mierke
Biomolecules 2026, 16(3), 457; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom16030457 - 18 Mar 2026
Viewed by 1310
Abstract
Nuclear mechanics and mechanotransduction are involved in the migration and invasion process, such as those in which the cells need to deform themselves to pass through constrictions. Specifically, properties like nuclear softness, viscoelasticity, plasticity (like nuclear pore complexes) and deformability are critical in [...] Read more.
Nuclear mechanics and mechanotransduction are involved in the migration and invasion process, such as those in which the cells need to deform themselves to pass through constrictions. Specifically, properties like nuclear softness, viscoelasticity, plasticity (like nuclear pore complexes) and deformability are critical in cancer and its malignant progression. The nucleus represents a physical barrier for the migration and invasion in dense 3D extracellular matrix (ECM) scaffolds. Therefore, the deformability of the nucleus seems to determine the migration limit in circumstances where the enzymatic remodeling of the surroundings is impaired. There are still significant knowledge gaps regarding effects of nuclear deformation during cancer dissemination. It seems that nuclear deformation can alter gene transcription, induce alternative splicing processes, impact nuclear envelope rupture, nuclear pore complex dilatation, damage the DNA, and increase the genomic instability. These mechanically induced alterations can in turn impact the migratory behavior of the cancer cells. The stiffness of the nucleus relies on the condensation of chromatin, and the nuclear lamina, which consists of a network of intermediate filaments underneath the nuclear envelope. All of this is discussed in the review and it is argued that nuclear deformability is universally found in various cancer types. Another focus is placed on the nuclear envelope proteins like emerin, and the SUN-KASH complex and how they contribute to the Linker of Nucleoskeleton and Cytoskeleton (LINC) complex, which consequently couples the nucleus and the cytoskeleton. It is argued that this connection is crucial for force transmission, which governs nuclear stiffness dynamically, depending on the force applied. In this review, recent findings are described that couple ECM-induced nuclear mechanosensing and mechanotransduction with the migration and invasion of cancer cells. Moreover, it is suspected that changes in the mechanosensory characteristics of the cell nucleus could play a pivotal part in the malignancy of cancer cells and the heterogeneity of tumors. Finally, it is discussed what impact the individual elements of the nucleus offer to mechanically alter cellular migration and invasion in cancer and its malignant progression. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in "Molecular Biology" Section 2026)
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Other

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15 pages, 2496 KB  
Brief Report
Evidence for FOXL2 Association with the Tsc1 Regulatory Region in Mice
by Mara Marongiu, Loredana Marcia, Andrea Sbardellati, Manila Deiana, Isadora Asunis, Emanuele Pelosi, Andrea Coschiera, Francesca Crobu, Angela Loi, Emilio Melis, Maria Cristina Mostallino, Alessandra Meloni, Roberto Cusano, Francesco Cucca, Manuela Uda and Laura Crisponi
Biomolecules 2026, 16(4), 510; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom16040510 - 29 Mar 2026
Viewed by 1288
Abstract
Ovarian reserve and reproductive life are closely linked concepts in female reproductive biology. The ovarian reserve consists of primordial follicles and refers to the number and quality of oocytes (eggs) remaining in the ovaries at any given time. Follicular dynamics shape a woman’s [...] Read more.
Ovarian reserve and reproductive life are closely linked concepts in female reproductive biology. The ovarian reserve consists of primordial follicles and refers to the number and quality of oocytes (eggs) remaining in the ovaries at any given time. Follicular dynamics shape a woman’s reproductive lifespan, ultimately leading to menopause. Elucidating the underlying genetic and molecular pathways of follicle maturation and depletion is thus crucial for understanding menopausal onset and progression, both in normal and pathophysiological contexts, such as primary ovarian insufficiency, defined as menopause before the age of 40. A key factor in ovarian differentiation and fertility maintenance is FOXL2, a forkhead family transcription factor that plays a crucial role in follicle formation and development, ovarian maintenance, and sex determination. By employing a ChIP-Seq approach in mice, we identified a previously unreported binding of FOXL2 to a Tsc1 regulatory region. Our data, along with a thorough literature review, support the hypothesis that FOXL2-mediated activation of Tsc1 in granulosa cells can help maintain primordial follicles in a dormant state by suppressing mTORC1 signalling. Understanding the mechanisms behind ovarian reserve may lay the foundation for developing novel fertility preservation strategies, improving fertility treatment protocols and promoting in vitro activation of cryopreserved ovarian tissue to support folliculogenesis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in "Molecular Biology" Section 2026)
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