Announcements

Conference: 5th MMCS: New Trends in Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery
Date: 14–17 May 2026, Beijing Time
Conference website: https://sciforum.net/event/MMCS2026

This conference is organized by the MDPI journal Molecules (ISSN: 1420-3049, IF: 4.6, and CiteScore: 8.6) and will take place in Beijing, China, from 14 to 17 May 2026 (Beijing time).

Conference Chairs:

• Prof. Dr. Xiaoguang Lei, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, China;
• Prof. Dr. Diego Muñoz-Torrero, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, and Institute of Biomedicine (IBUB), University of Barcelona, Spain.

Topics of interest:
S1. Chemical biology for drug discovery;
S2. AI for drug discovery;
S3. New proximity-based drug modalities;
S4. Natural products in drug discovery;
S5. Biocatalysis for natural product and drug synthesis;
S6. Drug discovery targeting GPCRs and ion channels;
S7. DNA-encoded libraries in drug discovery;
S8. Medicinal chemistry tales.

Important dates:
Deadline for abstract submission: 13 March 2026;
Abstract acceptance notification: 27 March 2026;
Early bird registration deadline: 3 April 2026;
Covering author registration deadline: 3 April 2026;
Registration deadline: 14 May 2026.

Guide for authors:
To submit your abstract, please visit the following link: https://sciforum.net/user/submission/create/1319.

To register for the event, please visit the following link: https://sciforum.net/event/MMCS2026?section=#registration.

For more information, you may refer to the following link: https://sciforum.net/event/MMCS2026.

For any inquiries regarding the event, please contact mmcs2026@mdpi.com.

We look forward to seeing you at the 5th MMCS: New Trends in Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery.

We are excited to announce the MDPI Academic Publishing Workshop, which will be hosted in partnership with Chiang Mai University. This collaboration reflects a mutual commitment to advancing interdisciplinary research that responds to global sustainability challenges through innovative approaches, cross-sector collaboration, and transformative solutions.

Designed with early-career researchers and innovators in mind, the workshop will provide practical skills to assist participants in increasing the impact of their scholarly work and building meaningful international connections.

Date: 5 June 2026
Time: 9:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Location: Lecture Room 0410, 4th Floor, The Multidisciplinary Building, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University
Language: Thai
Registration: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/6R2WDF5

MDPI will attend the ISSCR 2026 Annual Meeting taking place from 8 to 11 July 2026 in Montréal, Canada.

Leaders in stem cell research and regenerative medicine gather annually for the ISSCR Annual Meeting, and you are invited to be part of it! Join nearly 3500 scientists from across the world at ISSCR 2026 for a four-day event highlighting the most important breakthroughs in the field.

MDPI is excited to participate in this prestigious event. We welcome you to visit our booth, where you will be able to have face-to-face exchanges with our representatives, learn more about our open access publishing services, and receive gifts.

The following MDPI journals will be represented:

• Biomolecules;
• Cells;
• Biomedicines;
• Organoids;
• Current Issues in Molecular Biology;
• International Journal of Molecular Sciences;
• Methods and Protocols.

If you plan to attend this event, we encourage you to visit our booth and speak to our representatives. We are eager to meet you in person and assist you with any queries that you may have. For more information about the conference, please visit the official website: https://www.isscr2026.org/.

MDPI will be attending the international conference “ncRNA2026: From Molecular Mechanisms to Clinical Impact” in Leuven, Belgium, which will take place from 24 to 26 June 2026. In recent years, non-coding RNA studies have revolutionized our understanding of gene regulation, cellular networks, and disease mechanisms. ncRNA2026 will showcase the latest breakthroughs in ncRNA biology and technology through a program dedicated entirely to this field—from molecular mechanisms and clinical applications to data science and translational insights. The conference will feature distinguished international invited speakers, complemented by a strong selection of oral and poster presentations from submitted abstracts.

The following MDPI journals will be represented:

• Non-Coding RNA;
• Applied Biosciences;
• BioMed;
• BioMedInformatics;
• Biomolecules;
• Cells;
• Current Issues in Molecular Biology (CIMB);
• Current Oncology;
• Diagnostics;
• Epigenomes;
• International Journal of Molecular Sciences (IJMS);
• Targets.

If you are attending the conference, please feel free to visit our booth. 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 link: https://sciforum.net/event/ncRNA2026.

Observed annually on 12 May, the International Day of Plant Health is a United Nations initiative that calls global attention to the critical role of healthy plants and the urgent need to protect them from pests and diseases. The theme for 2026, “Plant Biosecurity for Food Security”, positions plant biosecurity as the first line of defense for the world’s food systems.

As a committed academic partner in plant protection, crop science, microbiology, and sustainable agriculture, MDPI leverages its open‑access publishing platform to disseminate cutting‑edge research. On the International Day of Plant Health 2026, MDPI journals in in the Biology & Life Sciences actively supports cross‑disciplinary dialogue and knowledge exchange on plant health, crop biosecurity, and food systems by showcasing relevant articles, Special Issues, and journals. Our goal is to help strengthen phytosanitary capacities across countries and regions, thereby building a solid barrier for the security and stability of global food supply chains.

“Plant Hormone Regulation of Competitive Growth: Implications for Agriculture and Inclusive Fitness”
by Jasmina Kurepa and Jan A. Smalle
Appl. Biosci. 2026, 5(2), 24; https://doi.org/10.3390/applbiosci5020024

“Genomic and Phylogenetic Evidence for a Novel Emaravirus Infecting Cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) in Amazonas, Peru”
by Angel F. Huaman-Pilco, Nicola Fiore, Oscar P. Hurtado-Gonzales, Larissa Carvalho Costa, Xiaojun Hu, Manuel Oliva-Cruz, Jorge R. Díaz-Valderrama and Alan Zamorano
Int. J. Plant Biol. 2025, 16(4), 142; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijpb16040142

“Linking Soil Microbial Functional Profiles to Fungal Disease Resistance in Winter Barley Under Different Fertilisation Regimes”
by Mariana Petkova, Petar Chavdarov and Stefan Shilev
Plants 2025, 14(20), 3199; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14203199

“Antioxidant Defense Systems in Plants: Mechanisms, Regulation, and Biotechnological Strategies for Enhanced Oxidative Stress Tolerance”
by Faustina Barbara Cannea and Alessandra Padiglia
Life 2025, 15(8), 1293; https://doi.org/10.3390/life15081293

“Deciphering Cowpea Resistance to Potyvirus: Assessment of eIF4E Gene Mutations and Their Impact on the eIF4E-VPg Protein Interaction”
by Fernanda Alves de Andrade, Madson Allan de Luna-Aragão, José Diogo Cavalcanti Ferreira, Fernanda Freitas Souza, Ana Carolina da Rocha Oliveira, Antônio Félix da Costa, Francisco José Lima Aragão, Carlos André dos Santos-Silva, Ana Maria Benko-Iseppon and Valesca Pandolfi
Viruses 2025, 17(8), 1050; https://doi.org/10.3390/v17081050

“Unlocking Plant Resilience: Metabolomic Insights into Abiotic Stress Tolerance in Crops”
by Agata Głuchowska, Bartłomiej Zieniuk and Magdalena Pawełkowicz
Metabolites 2025, 15(6), 384; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo15060384

“Microbially Enhanced Biofertilizers: Technologies, Mechanisms of Action, and Agricultural Applications”
by Sylwia Figiel, Piotr Rusek, Urszula Ryszko and Marzena Sylwia Brodowska
Agronomy 2025, 15(5), 1191; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15051191

“Effective Strategies for Managing Wheat Diseases: Mapping Academic Literature Utilizing VOSviewer and Insights from Our 15 Years of Research”
by Ioannis Vagelas
Agrochemicals 2025, 4(1), 4; https://doi.org/10.3390/agrochemicals4010004

“Humic Substances: Bridging Ecology and Agriculture for a Greener Future”
by Angela Maffia, Mariateresa Oliva, Federica Marra, Carmelo Mallamaci, Serenella Nardi and Adele Muscolo
Agronomy 2025, 15(2), 410; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15020410

“Plant Biostimulants to Enhance Abiotic Stress Resilience in Crops”
by Luciana Di Sario, Patricia Boeri, José Tomás Matus and Gastón A. Pizzio
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(3), 1129; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26031129

“ROS, an Important Plant Growth Regulator in Root Growth and Development: Functional Genes and Mechanism”
by Jialin Su, Yumei Liu, Fengqing Han, Fuxin Gao, Fangyi Gan, Ke Huang and Zhansheng Li
Biology 2024, 13(12), 1033; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13121033

“Exploring the Origins of Hexaploid Wheats: Typification of Archaeological Triticum vulgare var. antiquorum and Description of Modern Triticum sphaerococcum subsp. antiquorum (Poaceae: Triticeae)”
by Diego Rivera, Pedro Pablo Ferrer-Gallego, Concepción Obón, Francisco Alcaraz, Emilio Laguna and Nikolay P. Goncharov
Taxonomy 2024, 4(4), 780-794; https://doi.org/10.3390/taxonomy4040042

“Cadmium Stress Signaling Pathways in Plants: Molecular Responses and Mechanisms”
by Valentina Vitelli, Agnese Giamborino, Andrea Bertolini, Alessandro Saba and Andrea Andreucci
Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2024, 46(6), 6052-6068; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb46060361

“Plant Health in the Context of Fungal and Other Microbial Threats: Systematics, Pathogenesis and Integrated Management” Guest Editors: Prof. Dr. Yi Zhou, Dr. Jinglong Zhou and Dr. Jianwei Jiang Deadline for submissions: 31 October 2026	“Fungal Diseases of Cereals” Guest Editors: Dr. Lorenzo Covarelli and Dr. Giovanni Beccari Deadline for submissions: 31 October 2026
“Plant Life: Integrating Multi-Omic Approaches from Molecules to Environment” Guest Editors: Dr. Sen Meng and Dr. Fang He Deadline for submissions: 25 September 2026	“Plant Stress Resilience: Unveiling Mechanisms and Mitigation Strategies” Guest Editor: Dr. Giuseppe Mannino Deadline for submissions: 20 November 2026
“Biological Control: Insect-Plant Interactions for Sustainable Pest Management” Guest Editors: Dr. Helena Maura Torezan-Silingardi, Dr. Rostislav Zemek and Dr. Eduardo Soares Calixto Deadline for submissions: 10 December 2026	“Monitoring, Management and Ecotoxicological Implications of Plant Fungal Disease Control” Guest Editors: Prof. Dr. Gil Rodrigues dos Santos and Dr. Eugenio E. Oliveira Deadline for submissions: 31 December 2026

The 3rd International Online Conference on Agriculture Organizers: MDPI and Agriculture Volume Editor: Bin Gao Highlights: “Genetically Modified Crops as a Strategy for Reducing Pesticide Dependence in Sub-Saharan Africa: Exploring Benefits, Adoption Constraints and Policies” by Chijioke Christopher Uhegwu and Christian Kosisochukwu Anumudu “Evaluation of the Antifungal Effect of Carvacrol-Rich Essential Oils: In Vitro Study on the Phytopathogenic Fungi Alternaria and Fusarium” by Vasileios Papantzikos, Georgios Patakioutas and Paraskevi Yfanti Click here to read the full list of papers.

We are pleased to share the following interview with Prof. Dr. Nilanjana Maulik, Section Editor-in-Chief of Current Issues in Molecular Biology (CIMB, ISSN: 1467-3045).

Name: Prof. Dr. Nilanjana Maulik
Affiliation: Molecular Cardiology and Angiogenesis Laboratory, Department of Surgery, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, UConn Health, 263 Farmington Avenue, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
Interests: therapeutic angiogenesis; ischemic heart; signal transduction; tissue repair and regeneration; gene expression; apoptosis; diabetic cardiomyopathy; exosome; peripheral artery disease; sepsis

The following is a short Q&A with Prof. Dr. Nilanjana Maulik, who shared her vision for the journal with us:

1. What appealed to you about the journal that made you want to take the role as its Section Editor-in-Chief?
This position provides an opportunity to provide service to the scientific community and also give back some contribution to the progress of science. Current Issues in Molecular Biology (CIMB) is a widely read journal, and as its Section (Molecular Medicine) Editor-In-Chief, I will have the opportunity to assist authors, particularly junior scholars, in improving their work into published articles. Will focus on the strategic growth of the journal and on improving its impact factors.

2. What is your vision for the journal?
It is to develop or make the “Molecular Medicine” Section of CIMB stronger so that qualified and reputed scientific manuscripts get published in this journal section. Periodically, new topics are introduced to ensure that cutting-edge research is published in this section. To improve clarity, we need to encourage authors to use digital images, open data, and supplementary materials. Also, an interdisciplinary focus is important for addressing complex biological questions.

3. What does the future of this field of research look like?
Research is becoming increasingly global in nature, with a greater focus on team-based science rather than individual contributors and on the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) tools and other software for data analysis. Open access publications are becoming more popular. Again, data sharing strategies are becoming standard.

4. What do you think of the development of open access in the publishing field?
Generally, open access (OA) articles are viewed and cited more often than subscription-based articles because they are freely available to the public. OA articles have global access to scientific, technical, and medical research. There are challenges for the scientific community in author-paid publications and in maintaining quality control.

5. What aspects do you focus on when reviewing a manuscript?
When reviewing a manuscript, the focus is always on the validity of the methodology, originality, significance, and the clarity of the writing. Also, do the results support the conclusions? Is the abstract, introduction, and discussion logical? Whether raw data is submitted to the journal by the authors.
Again, the study's focus is on answering a relevant research question, and ethical standards are met.

6. Do you have any suggestions for young researchers in this field?
Never hide negative findings and never manipulate data. Always reach out to senior investigators
to discuss your research findings. Build a strong professional network. Find a mentor and build a career strategy to have long-term stability.

As part of its continued efforts to support impactful cancer research and foster scientific dialogue, MDPI is spotlighting head and neck cancer in this edition. Encompassing a diverse group of malignancies affecting the oral cavity, pharynx, and larynx, head and neck cancers collectively account for over 900,000 new cases and more than 400,000 deaths globally each year.

In recent years, shifting epidemiological patterns, particularly the rise of HPV-associated cancers, have introduced new challenges and opportunities in both research and clinical practice. These developments call for deeper insights into disease mechanisms, as well as more precise approaches to diagnosis, treatment, and patient stratification.

By bringing together cutting-edge research, focused Special Issues, and an expert-led webinar, MDPI journals aim to continue to facilitate knowledge exchange and highlight emerging advances in the field. These efforts play an important role in advancing innovation, improving early detection and therapeutic strategies, and ultimately enhancing outcomes for patients worldwide.

Keynote speakers
Dr. Kousik Kumar Kesh, St. Louis University, USA	Prof. Dr. Richard Yuxiong Su, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong S.A.R	Dr. Jennifer Anderson, The University of Texas, USA
Dr. Jay J. Liao, University of Washington Medical Center, USA	Prof. Dr. Wendell G. Yarbrough, University of North Carolina, USA	Dr. Joshua D. Smith, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, USA

Register for this webinar for free here!

“Enhancing Patient Outcomes in Head and Neck Cancer Radiotherapy: Integration of Electronic Patient-Reported Outcomes and Artificial Intelligence-Driven Oncology Care Using Large Language Models”
by ChihYing Liao, ChinNan Chu, TingChun Lin, TzuYao Chou and MengHsiun Tsai
Cancers 2025, 17(14), 2345; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17142345

“Advancing Head and Neck Cancer Therapies: From Conventional Treatments to Emerging Strategies”
by Aleksandra Mordzińska-Rak, Ilona Telejko, Grzegorz Adamczuk, Tomasz Trombik, Andrzej Stepulak and Ewa Błaszczak
Biomedicines 2025, 13(5), 1046; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines13051046

“The Role of Dysphagia on Head and Neck Cancer Patients’ Quality of Life, Functional Disabilities and Psychological Distress: Outcomes of Cancer Rehabilitation from an Observational Single-Center Study”
by Špela Matko, Christina Knauseder, David Riedl, Vincent Grote, Michael J. Fischer, Samuel Moritz Vorbach, Karin Pfaller-Frank, Wilhelm Frank and Thomas Licht
Curr. Oncol. 2025, 32(4), 220; https://doi.org/10.3390/curroncol32040220

“PDLIM3 Regulates Migration and Invasion of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma via YAP–Mediated Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition”
by Fan Yang, Ying Zhou, You Zhang, Weideng Wei, Fei Huang, Dan Yang, Yixin Zhang, Ruiyang Zhang, Xiaoqiang Xia, Qianming Chen et al.
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(7), 3147; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26073147

“Inflammatory Biomarkers and Oral Health Disorders as Predictors of Head and Neck Cancer: A Retrospective Longitudinal Study”
by Amr Sayed Ghanem, Kitti Sipos, Ágnes Tóth and Attila Csaba Nagy
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(5), 2279; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26052279

“Trends in Incidence and Mortality of Head and Neck Cancer Subsites Among Elderly Patients: A Population-Based Analysis”
by Małgorzata Wierzbicka, Wioletta Pietruszewska, Adam Maciejczyk and Jarosław Markowski
Cancers 2025, 17(3), 548; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17030548

“Recurrent and Metastatic Head and Neck Cancer: Mechanisms of Treatment Failure, Treatment Paradigms, and New Horizons”
by William T. Barham, Marshall Patrick Stagg, Rula Mualla, Michael DiLeo and Sagar Kansara
Cancers 2025, 17(1), 144; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17010144

“Identification of Biomarkers for Diagnosis and Prognosis of Head and Neck Cancer: Bioinformatics Approach”
by Alexandra Fernandes and Rui Vitorino
Targets 2024, 2(4), 470-480; https://doi.org/10.3390/targets2040026

“Clinical Evidence of Methods and Timing of Proper Follow-Up for Head and Neck Cancers”
by Riccardo Gili, Simone Caprioli, Paola Lovino Camerino, Gianluca Sacco, Tommaso Ruelle, Daria Maria Filippini, Silvia Pamparino, Stefania Vecchio, Filippo Marchi, Lucia Del Mastro et al.
Onco 2024, 4(4), 275-286; https://doi.org/10.3390/onco4040020

“Artificial Intelligence in Head and Neck Cancer: Innovations, Applications, and Future Directions”
by Tuan D. Pham, Muy-Teck Teh, Domniki Chatzopoulou, Simon Holmes and Paul Coulthard
Curr. Oncol. 2024, 31(9), 5255-5290; https://doi.org/10.3390/curroncol31090389

“The Advances in Proton Therapy in Head-and-Neck Cancers” Guest Editors: Dr. Nancy Lee and Dr. Edward Christopher Dee Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2026	“Decoding and Remodeling the Suppressive Tumor Immune Microenvironment in Head and Neck Cancer” Guest Editors: Dr. Andrew G. Sikora and Dr. Jennifer L. Anderson Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 June 2026
“The Role of Targeted Therapy in Head and Neck Cancers” Guest Editor: Dr. Rikki A.M. Brown Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2026	“Molecular Targets for HPV-Related Head and Neck Cancer” Guest Editor: Dr. Joshua D. Smith Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2026
“Head and Neck Cancer: From Mechanisms to Therapeutic Approaches—Advances and Challenges” Guest Editors: Dr. Barbara Verro, Dr. Carmelo Saraniti and Dr. Daniela Carlisi Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2026	“Targeting Head and Neck Cancer: From Tumor Microenvironment to Therapy Resistance” Guest Editors: Prof. Dr. Ratna B. Ray and Dr. Subhayan Sur Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 November 2026

We are honored to announce that Prof. Dr. William Gerwick will serve as the Chair of the 2026 Tu Youyou Award Committee.

A world-renowned authority in marine natural products chemistry and pharmacology, Professor Gerwick is a Distinguished Professor at both the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of California San Diego (UCSD). His pioneering work at the intersection of ocean sciences and drug discovery makes him a fitting leader for an award centered on transformative medicinal breakthroughs.

Under Professor Gerwick’s stewardship, the 2026 Tu Youyou Award Committee will focus on recognizing innovative and impactful research in natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry, particularly work with the potential to drive meaningful advances in both scientific understanding and human health.

To provide further insight into his perspectives, we include below an interview with Professor Gerwick, in which he reflects on his scientific journey, his views on the field, and his vision for the Tu Youyou Award.

A Conversation with the Chair

1. Could you please introduce yourself and your research journey?

My research focuses on the natural products of marine algae and cyanobacteria, their application in medicine, their biosynthesis using genomic approaches, and innovative methods in the structure elucidation of natural products.

I received my BS degree from the University of California at Davis, my PhD from the University of California at San Diego, and conducted postdoctoral work at the University of Connecticut. After a couple of years in a junior faculty position at the Department of Chemistry at the University of Puerto Rico, I spent 21 years as Professor of Pharmacy at Oregon State University. In 2005, I returned to my PhD institution at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at UC San Diego, where I am currently a Distinguished Professor of Oceanography and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Throughout my career, I have been dedicated to advancing the field through both leadership and mentorship. I have served as president of the American Society of Pharmacognosy, chaired and co-chaired several major research conferences, and served as an associate editor for the Journal of Natural Products. I am a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and of the American Society of Pharmacognosy. I have trained over 100 doctoral and postdoctoral students, and my research group has published nearly 500 papers and more than 25 patents on topics in the natural product sciences and medicinal chemistry.

2. What motivated you to accept the role of Chair of the 2026 Tu Youyou Award Committee?

Of course, I am a huge supporter of all awards that are given in recognition of excellent scientific research, and especially so in the natural products sciences and medicinal chemistry. However, this award is truly special in that it recognizes scientific excellence as well as impact, and is given in the name of an individual, Tu Youyou, who clearly had many challenges along the path to reach the pinnacle of her success. Not only was she the first Chinese person to win a Nobel prize in this area, but she was also the first Chinese woman to receive a Nobel prize, and this was achieved without graduate education in China or elsewhere. It’s a true testament to what can be achieved by hard work, determination, and vision. To read the history of her extraordinary approach to discovering novel antimalarial compounds from Traditional Chinese Medicine is truly inspirational. It is, therefore, the inspiration provided by the extraordinary life and career of Tu Youyou that motivated me to accept the Chair of the Award Committee for 2026.

3. How do you view the role of natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry in today’s scientific landscape, and what major advances over the past decade have shaped this field?

A quite remarkable integration of fields is currently transforming natural products science and medicinal chemistry. In natural products, we are seeing integration of different omics methods, from metabolites to proteins to nucleic acids. Sophisticated biological and pharmacological approaches are driving the discovery of exquisitely potent and selective natural products. Advances are being made to integrate molecular-level recognition of natural products with chemical ecological studies, and sophisticated methods of structure determination using Artificial Intelligence or pioneering new tools such as microED are being applied with increasing frequency. High-level synthetic methodologies, such as protecting group-free synthetic routes, are enhancing medicinal chemistry, accelerating the identification of lead molecules with attractive pharmaceutical properties at an increasing pace.

4. How do you consider the balance between fundamental discovery (e.g., new molecules or mechanisms) and practical impact (e.g., therapeutic applications)?

Many individuals are excellent scientists and mentors, and have essential roles in developing our culture that values science and the scientific method. It should also be pointed out that not all scientific discoveries are going to have a broad societal impact, but they are nevertheless critical to the overall body and structure of science. But it is a truly remarkable individual who makes a key scientific discovery, recognizes its potential value to society in general, and then has the skills and determination to bring it forward as a useful product. That was the type of person the Tu Youyou is, and that is the type of person who is honored by the prize in her name.

5. What do you see as the key challenges or opportunities currently facing the field?

We are on the crux of an amazing revolution in many of the sciences, including natural products and medicinal chemistry; the purposeful application of Artificial Intelligence to solving many of the difficulties involved in the search for new pharmaceuticals from Nature. AI is transforming how we select organisms for study, what pharmaceutical targets to go after, rapidly resolving the chemical structures of new compounds, identifying efficient routes to their chemical synthesis, understanding their molecular mechanisms of action, and finally, designing their clinical application. The role of people in these pursuits is changing. Increasingly, the human role will be providing overall vision: what can we do? What should we do? And it is important to remember that AI is providing hypotheses, not truth. Scientists with expert domain knowledge will be critical for discerning the correctness of hypotheses put forth by AI. Altogether, advances in technology, expanding knowledge, and the appropriate use of AI methods are preparing society to be able to address emerging diseases, such as pandemics, as well as conditions that are not effectively treated by currently existing therapeutics.

6. How do you expect the Tu Youyou Award to contribute to the advancement of natural product chemistry, medicinal chemistry, and human health over the coming years?

The Tu Youyou Award is potentially transformative for the broad fields of natural products science and medicinal chemistry as it brings a significantly increased level of visibility to these topics and their contributions to human health. It will be crucial to have excellent communication to news agencies, social media and other communication outlets so that the general public is informed and educated on the high impact of these natural product/medicinal chemistry contributions. This will bring increased funding, attract promising students, and generally enrich the interface of these fields with the health sector.

7. What message would you like to convey to the research community and the public during this open nomination phase?

This prize gives broad societal visibility to the role that natural products have had in shaping a majority of our current medicines, as well as understanding the life forms with whom we share the planet. Further, it recognizes a woman scientist working under sub-optimal conditions who could persevere and make discoveries of global impact. The prize and what it represents, therefore, inspires current and future generations to engage in the study of Nature and its relationship to Human Health, to overcome adversity, and to aspire to making one’s life impactful.

About the Tu Youyou Award

Established in 2016, the Tu Youyou Award seeks to honor those who excel in the fields of natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry. This award offers a total prize of CHF 100,000, which will be equally divided among the winners if there is more than one, with each recipient receiving an award medal and a certificate.

The 2026 Tu Youyou Award is open for nominations until 31 October 2026. We encourage all eligible candidates to participate in this prestigious recognition, as this award not only honors individual achievement but also encourages further scientific exchange, exploration and discovery in critical areas of medicine.

If you are interested in participating, please visit the Tu Youyou Award website for more information on the nomination requirements.

Conference: The 2026 Annual Congress of the European Association for Cancer Research
Date: 8–11 June 2026
Location: Budapest, Hungary

We are pleased to announce that MDPI will participate in the 2026 Annual Congress of the European Association for Cancer Research (EACR 2026), held in Budapest, Hungary, from 8 to 11 June 2026.

The 2026 Annual Congress of the European Association for Cancer Research (EACR 2026) is a four-day congress dedicated to basic, preclinical and translational cancer research across a wide range of topics. The conference will highlight the latest research and bring together the cancer research community to inspire innovation and build knowledge, connections and collaborations.

The following MDPI journals will be represented at the conference:

• Cancers;
• JPM;
• Current Oncology;
• Onco;
• JCM;
• Cells;
• Diseases;
• Epigenomes;
• CIMB;
• Biologics;
• Life;
• Gastrointestinal Disorders;
• Clinics and Practice;
• DNA;
• IJMS;
• Diagnostics.

If you are planning to attend the above conference, please feel free to start an online conversation with us. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person at booth #101 and answering any questions that you may have. For more information about the conference, please visit the following website: https://2026.eacr.org/.