Announcements

It is with profound sadness that we share the news that Prof. Dr. Anahid Jewett, esteemed Section Board Member of Cells and Professor in the Division of Oral Biology and Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), passed away in 2025.

Prof. Dr. Jewett was an internationally recognized immunologist whose pioneering research profoundly advanced our understanding of the immune system’s role in cancer, with a particular focus on natural killer (NK) cells. Her work illuminated the mechanisms by which NK cells regulate tumor progression and immune surveillance, paving the way for novel therapeutic approaches in cancer immunotherapy.

Throughout her distinguished career at UCLA and the Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, Prof. Dr. Jewett was dedicated to both scientific innovation and mentorship. She authored numerous influential publications that shaped the field of tumor immunology and was widely respected for her contributions to translational research bridging basic science and clinical application.

As a Section Board Member of Cells, Prof. Dr. Jewett played a vital role in supporting the journal’s mission to foster high-quality research dissemination. Her insight, dedication, and generosity enriched the scientific community and inspired colleagues and students alike.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to Prof. Dr. Jewett’s family, friends, and colleagues. Her legacy as a scientist, mentor, and leader will endure in the field of cancer immunology and beyond.

Cells Editorial Office

We are pleased to share a selection of highly cited papers published in Cells (ISSN: 2073-4409) in the Section “Mitochondria” in 2024.

1. “Mitochondria: A Promising Convergent Target for the Treatment of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis”
by Teresa Cunha-Oliveira, Liliana Montezinho, Rui F. Simões, Marcelo Carvalho, Elisabete Ferreiro and Filomena S. G. Silva
Cells 2024, 13(3), 248; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells13030248
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/13/3/248

2. “Cooperation of Various Cytoskeletal Components Orchestrates Intercellular Spread of Mitochondria between B-Lymphoma Cells through Tunnelling Nanotubes”
by Henriett Halász, Viktória Tárnai, János Matkó, Miklós Nyitrai and Edina Szabó-Meleg
Cells 2024, 13(7), 607; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells13070607
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/13/7/607

3. “Cardiomyopathy in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and the Potential for Mitochondrial Therapeutics to Improve Treatment Response”
by Shivam, H. Gandhi, Lee Sweeney, Cora C. Hart, Renzhi Han and Christopher G. R. Perry
Cells 2024, 13(14), 1168; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells13141168
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/13/14/1168 

4. “Daily Light Onset and Plasma Membrane Tethers Regulate Mitochondria Redistribution within the Retinal Pigment Epithelium”
by Matilde V. Neto, Giulia De Rossi, Bruce A. Berkowitz, Miguel C. Seabra, Philip J. Luthert, Clare E. Futter and Thomas Burgoyne
Cells 2024, 13(13), 1100; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells13131100
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/13/13/1100

The cardiovascular system comprises the heart, blood and lymphatic vessels, and blood. Its most well-known function is the transport of oxygen and nutrients and waste removal, but it also represents the road for immune and stem cells, hormones, and active metabolites. The importance of the cardiovascular system is underlined by the fact that the heart is the first functional organ during embryonic development in mammals, and congenital cardiovascular malformations are the most common birth defects with mostly unknown causes. Furthermore, cardiovascular diseases are the most common causes of death worldwide. Thus, investigation of the function of cells in the cardiovascular system, their interactions, signaling, electrophysiology, specification, and plasticity is of great importance for our understanding of cardiovascular physiology and pathophysiology.

This Section of Cells (ISSN: 2073-4409) aims to publish research that provides novel insights and conceptual advancements in the field of cardiovascular science at the biophysical, molecular, cellular, organ, and organism levels.

You have free and unlimited access to the full texts of all the open access articles published in our journal. We welcome you to read our most highly cited papers published in 2024 listed below:

1. “H₂S Protects from Rotenone-Induced Ferroptosis by Stabilizing Fe-S Clusters in Rat Cardiac Cells”
by Sara Linjacki, Yuehong Wang, Navjeet Baath, Devin Mantle and Guangdong Yang
Cells 2024, 13(5), 371;  https://doi.org/10.3390/cells13050371
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/13/5/371

2. “Single-Cell Analyses Offer Insights into the Different Remodeling Programs of Arteries and Veins”
by Miguel G. Rojas, Simone Pereira-Simon, Zachary M. Zigmond, Javier Varona Santos, Mikael Perla, Nieves Santos Falcon, Filipe F. Stoyell-Conti, Alghidak Salama, Xiaofeng Yang, Xiaochun Long et al.
Cells 2024, 13(10), 793; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells13100793
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/13/10/793

3. “The Role of Fatty Acid Synthase in the Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell to Foam Cell Transition”
by Bethany J. Bogan, Holly C. Williams, Claire M. Holden, Vraj Patel, Giji Joseph, Christopher Fierro, Hugo Sepulveda, W. Robert Taylor, Amir Rezvan and Alejandra San Martin
Cells 2024, 13(8), 658; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells13080658
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/13/8/658

4. “Anti-Inflammatory Oxysterol, Oxy210, Inhibits Atherosclerosis in Hyperlipidemic Mice and Inflammatory Responses of Vascular Cells”
by Frank Stappenbeck, Feng Wang, Satyesh K. Sinha, Simon T. Hui, Lia Farahi, Nigora Mukhamedova, Andrew Fleetwood, Andrew J. Murphy, Dmitri Sviridov, Aldons J. Lusis et al.
Cells 2024, 13(19), 1632; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells13191632
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/13/19/1632

5. “Leucine Supplementation Prevents the Development of Skeletal Muscle Dysfunction in a Rat Model of HFpEF”
by Paula Ketilly Nascimento Alves, Antje Schauer, Antje Augstein, Maria-Elisa Prieto Jarabo, Anita Männel, Peggy Barthel, Beatrice Vahle, Anselmo S. Moriscot, Axel Linke and Volker Adams
Cells 2024, 13(6), 502; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells13060502
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/13/6/502

6. “Defining Transcriptomic Heterogeneity between Left and Right Ventricle-Derived Cardiac Fibroblasts”
by Michael Bradley Dewar, Fahad Ehsan, Aliya Izumi, Hangjun Zhang, Yu-Qing Zhou, Haisam Shah, Dylan Langburt, Hamsini Suresh, Tao Wang, Alison Hacker et al.
Cells 2024, 13(4), 327; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells13040327
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/13/4/327

7. “Cellular, Molecular and Clinical Aspects of Aortic Aneurysm—Vascular Physiology and Pathophysiology”
by Dominika Domagała, Krzysztof Data, Hubert Szyller, Maryam Farzaneh, Paul Mozdziak, Sławomir Woźniak, Maciej Zabel, Piotr Dzięgiel and Bartosz Kempisty
Cells 2024, 13(3), 274; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells13030274
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/13/3/274

8. “The Role of FNDC5/Irisin in Cardiovascular Disease”
by Maciej Grzeszczuk, Piotr Dzięgiel and Katarzyna Nowińska
Cells 2024, 13(3), 277; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells13030277
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/13/3/277

9. “The Impact of Natriuretic Peptides on Heart Development, Homeostasis, and Disease”
by Alexandra E. Giovou, Monika M. Gladka and Vincent M. Christoffels
Cells 2024, 13(11), 931; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells13110931
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/13/11/931

10. “Giant Cell Arteritis: Advances in Understanding Pathogenesis and Implications for Clinical Practice”
by Marino Paroli, Rosalba Caccavale and Daniele Accapezzato
Cells 2024, 13(3), 267; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells13030267
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/13/3/267

Coinciding with the announcement of the 2025 Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine, this forum underscores the importance of recognizing outstanding achievements that push the boundaries of human knowledge and understanding. It represents a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas on the advancements driving scientific progress and to inspire the next generation of gifted scientists.

General topics of discussion for this event will include the following:

• Breakthrough research shaping the future of physiology or medicine;
• Reflecting on past Nobel Prize-winning work and its legacy;
• The key trends driving innovation in physiology or medicine today;
• Exploring the societal and scientific contributions of physiology or medicine research.

Date: 6 October 2025
Time: 3:30 p.m. CEST | 9:30 a.m. EDT | 9:30 p.m. CST (Asia)
Webinar ID: 852 3554 5031

Register now for free! 

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

Unable to attend? Please register anyway; the session will be recorded, and we will let you know when the recording is available for viewing.

Program:

Webinar Keynote Speakers:

• Prof. Dr. Jacek Z. Kubiak, CNRS/University Rennes UMR 6290, Institute of Genetics and Development of Rennes (IGDR), Rennes, France;
• Prof. Dr Carlos S. Moreno, Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Department of Biomedical Informatics, Department of Urology, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA;
• Prof. Dr Claus Jacob, Division of Bioorganic Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of Saarland, Saarland, Germany.

For more information about this webinar, please visit the following link: https://sciforum.net/event/NPR2025PM.

If you have any questions about this webinar, please contact webinar@mdpi.com.

MDPI Webinar Secretariat

The Cells 2024 Best Paper Award for papers published in 2023 has been presented to the following articles, selected by a committee chaired by the Editor-in-Chief, Prof. Dr. Alexander E. Kalyuzhny. Following a review process conducted by the Award Evaluation Committee, six winners were chosen.

Article:
First Prize: CHF 500 and a voucher for a full discount on the article processing charge of one paper, valid for one year.

“Poly-L-Lactic Acid Fillers Improved Dermal Collagen Synthesis by Modulating M2 Macrophage Polarization in Aged Animal Skin”
by Seyeon Oh, Je Hyuk Lee, Hyoung Moon Kim, Sosorburam Batsukh, Mi Jeong Sung, Tae Hwan Lim, Myoung Hoon Lee, Kuk Hui Son and Kyunghee Byun
Cells 2023, 12(9), 1320; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells12091320

Second Prize: a voucher for a full discount on the article processing charge of one paper, valid for one year.
“SIRT3 Deficiency Enhances Ferroptosis and Promotes Cardiac Fibrosis via p53 Acetylation”
by Han Su, Aubrey C. Cantrell, Jian-Xiong Chen, Wei Gu and Heng Zeng
Cells 2023, 12(10), 1428; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells12101428

“The RhoA-ROCK1/ROCK2 Pathway Exacerbates Inflammatory Signaling in Immortalized and Primary Microglia”
by Elliot J. Glotfelty, Luis B. Tovar-y-Romo, Shih-Chang Hsueh, David Tweedie, Yazhou Li, Brandon K. Harvey, Barry J. Hoffer, Tobias E. Karlsson, Lars Olson and Nigel H. Greig
Cells 2023, 12(10), 1367; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells12101367

Review:
First Prize: CHF 500 and a voucher for a full discount on the article processing charge of one paper, valid for one year.

“Probiotics Mechanism of Action on Immune Cells and Beneficial Effects on Human Health”
by Chiara Mazziotta, Mauro Tognon, Fernanda Martini, Elena Torreggiani and John Charles Rotondo
Cells 2023, 12(1), 184; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells12010184

Second Prize: a voucher for a full discount on the article processing charge of one paper, valid for one year.

“Doxorubicin—An Agent with Multiple Mechanisms of Anticancer Activity”
by Mateusz Kciuk, Adrianna Gielecińska, Somdutt Mujwar, Damian Kołat, Żaneta Kałuzińska-Kołat, Ismail Celik and Renata Kontek
Cells 2023, 12(4), 659; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells12040659

“Gut-Microbiota-Derived Metabolites Maintain Gut and Systemic Immune Homeostasis”
by Juanjuan Wang, Ningning Zhu, Xiaomin Su, Yunhuan Gao and Rongcun Yang
Cells 2023, 12(5), 793; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells12050793

Please join us in congratulating the winners of the Cells 2024 Best Paper Award. We also wish to take this opportunity to thank our authors for their continued support of Cells (ISSN: 2073-4409).

We are pleased to share a selection of highly cited papers published in the “Stem Cells” Section of Cells (ISSN: 2073-4409) in 2024, which are listed below.

1. “A Novel CRISPR-Cas9 Strategy to Target DYSTROPHIN Mutations Downstream of Exon 44 in Patient-Specific DMD iPSCs”
by Neha R. Dhoke, Hyunkee Kim, Karim Azzag, Sarah B. Crist, James Kiley and Rita C. R. Perlingeiro
Cells 2024, 13(11), 972; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells13110972
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/13/11/972

2. “Human-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Neural Progenitor Cells Showed Neuronal Differentiation, Neurite Extension, and Formation of Synaptic Structures in Rodent Ischemic Stroke Brains”
by Yonehiro Kanemura, Atsuyo Yamamoto, Asako Katsuma, Hayato Fukusumi, Tomoko Shofuda, Daisuke Kanematsu, Yukako Handa, Miho Sumida, Ema Yoshioka, Yutaka Mine et al.
Cells 2024, 13(8), 671; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells13080671
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/13/8/671

3. “Adult Human, but Not Rodent, Spermatogonial Stem Cells Retain States with a Foetal-like Signature”
by Stephen J. Bush, Rafail Nikola, Seungmin Han, Shinnosuke Suzuki, Shosei Yoshida, Benjamin D. Simons and Anne Goriely
Cells 2024, 13(9); 742; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells13090742
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/13/9/742

4. “Neonatal Brains Exhibit Higher Neural Reparative Activities than Adult Brains in a Mouse Model of Ischemic Stroke”
by Ryo Nishiyama, Takayuki Nakagomi, Akiko Nakano-Doi, Yoji Kuramoto, Masahiro Tsuji and Shinichi Yoshimura
Cells 2024, 13(6), 519; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells13060519
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/13/6/519

5. “Administration of Human-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Activates Locally Stimulated Endogenous Neural Progenitors and Reduces Neurological Dysfunction in Mice after Ischemic Stroke”
by Shuichi Fujiwara, Akiko Nakano-Doi, Toshinori Sawano, Shuji Kubo, Nobutaka Doe and Takayuki Nakagomi
Cells 2024, 13(11), 939; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells13110939
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/13/11/939

6. “Optical Genome Mapping Reveals Genomic Alterations upon Gene Editing in hiPSCs: Implications for Neural Tissue Differentiation and Brain Organoid Research”
by Lucia Gallego Villarejo, Wanda M. Gerding, Lisa Bachmann, Luzie H. I. Hardt, Stefan Bormann, Huu Phuc Nguyen and Thorsten Müller
Cells 2024, 13(6), 507; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells13060507
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/13/6/507

7. “Transcription Factor-Mediated Generation of Dopaminergic Neurons from Human iPSCs—A Comparison of Methods”
by Kirstin O. McDonald, Nikita M. A. Lyons, Luca K. C. Gray, Janet B. Xu, Lucia Schoderboeck, Stephanie M. Hughes and Indranil Basak
Cells 2024, 13(12), 1016; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells13121016
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/13/12/1016

8. “Human-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell (iPSC)-Derived GABAergic Neuron Differentiation in Bipolar Disorder”
by Daniel J. Schill, Durga Attili, Cynthia J. DeLong, Melvin G. McInnis, Craig N. Johnson, Geoffrey G. Murphy and K. Sue O’Shea
Cells 2024, 13(14), 1194; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells13141194
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/13/14/1194

It is our great pleasure to announce the winners of the Cells 2024 Best PhD Thesis Award. This award is given in recognition of young scholars who are judged to have completed the most outstanding PhD thesis in the field of cell biology, encouraging them to continue their outstanding work and further contribute to their field. The award has been granted for the following thesis:

“Aging, Stress and Neuroplasticity”
by Nimmy Varghese Thiruthanathil, Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, USA

As the awardee, Dr. Nimmy Varghese Thiruthanathil will receive an honorarium of CHF 800 and an electronic certificate.

With so many high-quality applicants, the evaluation process and final decision were challenging. We would like to thank all the applicants for submitting a diverse and fascinating range of research topics. On behalf of the assessment committee, we congratulate the winners on their accomplishments.

Date: 23 September 2025
Time: 11:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m
Location: The Chelsea Hotel, 33 Gerrard Street West, Toronto

MDPI is thrilled to announce our participation in the University of Toronto’s largest career fair, taking place at the St. George Downtown Campus. This exciting event brings together thousands of students, graduates, and professionals looking to connect with top employers and explore career opportunities.

We invite all attendees to visit the MDPI booth to discover how you can be part of one of the world’s leading open access academic publishers. Whether you are passionate about scientific research, editorial work, marketing, or supporting global innovation in publishing, we want to meet YOU!

What to expect at our booth:

• Learn more about MDPI’s mission and global impact;
• Explore exciting career opportunities in publishing, editorial, communications, and more;
• Network with our team and ask questions about working at MDPI.

Whether you’re just starting your career or looking to take the next step, don’t miss this opportunity to connect with MDPI. Bring your resume, your curiosity, and your questions—we look forward to seeing you there!

For additional information on the Career Fair and Open MDPI positions, please visit the following links:

• Learn more about the U of T Career Fair;
• Explore Careers with MDPI Canada.

Conference: 2025 International Conference of the Korean Society for Molecular and Cellular Biology (KSMCB 2025)
Booth Number: 72
Date: 29 September–2 October 2025
Location: ICC Jeju, Jeju Island, Republic of Korea

The Korean Society for Molecular and Cellular Biology (KSMCB) was founded in 1988 and has expanded to become one of the largest and most prominent academic societies in the field of life sciences in Korea. The KSMCB aims to advance research, communication, collaboration, and education in the field of biological sciences, from fundamental molecular biology to biomedical and agricultural research. The programs featured in the ICKSMCB offer a platform to cultivate bioscience research and disseminate scientific discoveries, cutting-edge information, and innovative ideas.

MDPI will be attending the 2025 International Conference of the KSMCB (ICKSMCB) as an exhibitor. This event will be held from 29 September to 2 October, and we welcome all researchers to visit our booth and discuss their latest research with us.

The following MDPI journals will be represented at the conference:

• Life;
• Sci;
• Biophysica;
• Cells;
• Biologics;
• BioMed;
• Biomedicines;
• Biomolecules;
• BioTech;
• Cancers;
• Current Issues in Molecular Biology;
• Genes;
• International Journal of Molecular Sciences;
• Metabolites;
• Microorganisms;
• Non-Coding RNA;
• Plants.

Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person at our booth and answering any questions you may have. For more information regarding this conference, please visit the following website: https://www.ksmcb.or.kr/icksmcb2025/main.html.