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 honored to recognize the 2024 MDPI Top 1000 Reviewers—scholars whose exemplary commitment to rigorous and constructive peer review is vital in upholding the highest standards of academic publishing.

Selected from a distinguished pool of 215,000 reviewers from 65 countries and regions worldwide, these honorees stand out for their exceptional expertise, diligence, and dedication to advancing research through timely and thoughtful reviews. Their constructive and impartial feedback ensures the publication of high-quality, impactful research, while their timely reviews facilitate swift revisions and faster publication of innovative work.

Peer review is the invisible foundation of academic progress. With gratitude and respect, we celebrate these 1000 scholars who made that foundation stronger in 2024. We respected all privacy preferences, with part of nominees opting for limited attribution.

The names of these reviewers are listed below in alphabetical order by first name:

The “RNA” Section of Genes (ISSN: 2073-4425) is dedicated to publishing research on RNA cellular functions via molecular, biochemical, and computational approaches, covering non-coding RNA, RNA–protein interactions, structural analysis, bioinformatics, and RNA-based regulatory networks/modeling.

All papers are in an open access format, granting our readers free and unlimited access to the full text of all the articles published in our journal. We welcome you to read our top viewed papers published in 2023 and 2024, which are listed below.

1. “miRNAs: The Road from Bench to Bedside”
by Giuseppe Iacomino
Genes 2023, 14(2), 314; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes14020314
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/14/2/314

2. “Towards a Cure for HARS Disease”
by Sarah D. P. Wilhelm, Rosan Kenana, Yi Qiu, Patrick O’Donoghue and Ilka U. Heinemann
Genes 2023, 14(2), 254; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes14020254
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/14/2/254

3. “Genome-Wide Analysis on Driver and Passenger RNA Editing Sites Suggests an Underestimation of Adaptive Signals in Insects”
by Yuchen Zhang and Yuange Duan
Genes 2023, 14(10), 1951; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes14101951
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/14/10/1951

4. “Doxorubicin and Cisplatin Modulate miR-21, miR-106, miR-126, miR-155 and miR-199 Levels in MCF7, MDA-MB-231 and SK-BR-3 Cells That Makes Them Potential Elements of the DNA-Damaging Drug Treatment Response Monitoring in Breast Cancer Cells—A Preliminary Study”
by Anna Mizielska, Iga Dziechciowska, Radosław Szczepański, Małgorzata Cisek, Małgorzata Dąbrowska, Jan Ślężak, Izabela Kosmalska, Marta Rymarczyk, Klaudia Wilkowska, Barbara Jacczak et al.
Genes 2023, 14(3), 702; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes14030702
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/14/3/702

5. “Construction of Fusion Protein for Enhanced Small RNA Loading to Extracellular Vesicles”
by Masoumeh Es-Haghi, Olga Neustroeva, Iftekhar Chowdhury, Pia Laitinen, Mari-Anna Väänänen, Nea Korvenlaita, Tarja Malm, Mikko P. Turunen and Tiia A. Turunen
Genes 2023, 14(2), 261; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes14020261
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/14/2/261

6. “Role of Circulating microRNAs in Liver Disease and HCC: Focus on miR-122”
by Francesco Colaianni, Veronica Zelli, Chiara Compagnoni, Martina Sara Miscione, Mario Rossi, Davide Vecchiotti, Monica Di Padova, Edoardo Alesse, Francesca Zazzeroni and Alessandra Tessitore
Genes 2024, 15(10), 1313; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes15101313
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/15/10/1313

7. “Therapeutic Implication of miRNAs as an Active Regulatory Player in the Management of Pain: A Review”
by Mubashir Hassan, Saba Shahzadi, Muhammad Yasir, Wanjoo Chun and Andrzej Kloczkowski
Genes 2024, 15(8), 1003; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes15081003
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/15/8/1003

8. “Hmo1 Promotes Efficient Transcription Elongation by RNA Polymerase I in Saccharomyces cerevisiae”
by Abigail K. Huffines and David A. Schneider
Genes 2024, 15(2), 247; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes15020247
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/15/2/247

9. “Associations of Maternal Breastmilk microRNAs and Infant Obesity Status at 1 Year”
by Emily Van Syoc, Molly Stegman, Rhea Sullivan, Alexandra Confair, Kaitlyn Warren and Steven D. Hicks
Genes 2024, 15(6), 813; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes15060813
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/15/6/813

10. “The Role of RNA Splicing in Liver Function and Disease: A Focus on Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease”
by Dorota Kaminska
Genes 2024, 15(9), 1181; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes15091181
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/15/9/1181

The “Population and Evolutionary Genetics and Genomics” Section of Genes (ISSN: 2073-4425) aims to publish studies on genetic diversity and evolutionary processes across all organisms, encompassing topics such as genetic polymorphism, natural selection, phylogenetics, metagenomics, and ancient DNA analysis.

All papers are in an open access format, granting our readers free and unlimited access to the full text of all the articles published in our journal. We welcome you to read our top viewed papers published in 2023 and 2024, which are listed below.

1. “Microsatellites as Molecular Markers with Applications in Exploitation and Conservation of Aquatic Animal Populations”
by Roman Wenne
Genes 2023, 14(4), 808; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes14040808
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/14/4/808

2. “Winners and Losers of Atlantification: The Degree of Ocean Warming Affects the Structure of Arctic Microbial Communities”
by Antonia Ahme, Anabel Von Jackowski, Rebecca A. McPherson, Klara K. E. Wolf, Mario Hoppmann, Stefan Neuhaus and Uwe John
Genes 2023, 14(3), 623; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes14030623
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/14/3/623

3. “Population Genomics Reveals the Underlying Structure of the Small Pelagic European Sardine and Suggests Low Connectivity within Macaronesia”
by Rute R. da Fonseca, Paula F. Campos, Alba Rey-Iglesia, Gustavo V. Barroso, Lucie A. Bergeron,
Manuel Nande, Fernando Tuya, Sami Abidli, Montse Pérez, Isabel Riveiro et al.
Genes 2024, 15(2), 170; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes15020170
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/15/2/170

4. “Biogeography and Genetic Diversity of Terrestrial Mites in the Ross Sea Region, Antarctica”
by Gemma E. Collins, Monica R. Young, Peter Convey, Steven L. Chown, S. Craig Cary, Byron J. Adams, Diana H. Wall and Ian D. Hogg
Genes 2023, 14(3), 606; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes14030606
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/14/3/606

5. “A Multi-Tissue Gene Expression Atlas of Water Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) Reveals Transcriptome Conservation between Buffalo and Cattle”
by Jingfang Si, Dongmei Dai, Kun Li, Lingzhao Fang and Yi Zhang
Genes 2023, 14(4), 890; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes14040890
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/14/4/890

6. “The State of Squamate Genomics: Past, Present, and Future of Genome Research in the Most Speciose Terrestrial Vertebrate Order”
by Simone M. Gable, Jasmine M. Mendez, Nicholas A. Bushroe, Adam Wilson, Michael I. Byars and Marc Tollis
Genes 2023, 14(7), 1387; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes14071387
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/14/7/1387

7. “Revision of the Most Primitive Taxa of the Family Gyrodactylidae (van Beneden et Hesse, 1864) (Platyhelminthes, Monopisthocotyla) Based on ITS rDNA Phylogeny”
by Jakub Janulewicz, Maciej Pietkiewicz and Marek S. Ziętara
Genes 2024, 15(9), 1236; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes15091236
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/15/9/1236

8. “Local Genomic Instability of the SpTransformer Gene Family in the Purple Sea Urchin Inferred from BAC Insert Deletions”
by Megan A. Barela Hudgell, Farhana Momtaz, Abiha Jafri, Max A. Alekseyev and L. Courtney Smith
Genes 2024, 15(2), 222; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes15020222
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/15/2/222

9. “Decoding Evolution of Rubioideae: Plastomes Reveal Sweet Secrets of Codon Usage, Diagnostides, and Superbarcoding”
by Kamil Ciborowski, Monika Szczecińska, Mateusz Maździarz, Jakub Sawicki and Łukasz Paukszto
Genes 2024, 15(5), 562; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes15050562
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/15/5/562

10. “Association between Variants of the TRPV1 Gene and Body Composition in Sub-Saharan Africans”
by Maddalena Giannì, Marco Antinucci, Stefania Bertoncini, Luca Taglioli, Cristina Giuliani, Donata Luiselli, Davide Risso, Elisabetta Marini, Gabriella Morini and Sergio Tofanelli
Genes 2024, 15(6), 752; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes15060752
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/15/6/752

The “Plant Genetics and Genomics” Section of Genes (ISSN: 2073-4425) is dedicated to publishing plant and algal genetics research, from molecular/functional characterization to evolutionary studies, covering gene regulation, epigenetics, chromatin organization, genetic engineering, and plastid genomics.

All papers are in an open access format, granting our readers free and unlimited access to the full text of all the articles published in our journal. We welcome you to read our most highly cited papers published in 2023 and 2024, which are listed below.

1. “Genetic Diversity of Durum Wheat (Triticum turgidum L. ssp. durum, Desf) Germplasm as Revealed by Morphological and SSR Markers”
by Temesgen Dagnaw, Behailu Mulugeta, Teklehaimanot Haileselassie, Mulatu Geleta, Rodomiro Ortiz and Kassahun Tesfaye
Genes 2023, 14(6), 1155; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes14061155
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/14/6/1155

2. “Improving Agrobacterium tumefaciens−Mediated Genetic Transformation for Gene Function Studies and Mutagenesis in Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)”
by Hanqiang Liu, Jianyu Zhao, Feifan Chen, Zhiming Wu, Junyi Tan, Nhien Hao Nguyen, Zhihui Cheng and Yiqun Weng
Genes 2023, 14(3), 601; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes14030601
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/14/3/601

3. “The Systematics, Reproductive Biology, Biochemistry, and Breeding of Sea Buckthorn—A Review”
by Hilde Nybom, Chengjiang Ruan and Kimmo Rumpunen
Genes 2023, 14(12), 2120; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes14122120
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/14/12/2120

4. “Modification of Gene Expression of Tomato Plants through Foliar Flavonoid Application in Relation to Enhanced Growth”
by Alberto Martinez-Alonso, Lucia Yepes-Molina, Angel L. Guarnizo and Micaela Carvajal
Genes 2023, 14(12), 2208; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes14122208
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/14/12/2208

5. “Genome-Wide Identification and Characterization of Argonaute, Dicer-like and RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase Gene Families and Their Expression Analyses in Fragaria spp.”
by Xiaotong Jing, Linlin Xu, Xinjia Huai, Hong Zhang, Fengli Zhao and Yushan Qiao
Genes 2023, 14(1), 121; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes14010121
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/14/1/121

6. “Comprehensive Analysis of the Complete Mitochondrial Genome of Rehmannia chingii: An Autotrophic Species in the Orobanchaceae Family”
by Ying Han, Yan-Lei Feng, JieWang, Shan-Shan Zhu, Xin-Jie Jin, Zhi-Qiang Wu and Yong-Hua Zhang
Genes 2024, 15(1), 98; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes15010098
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/15/1/98

7. “Progress in Rice Breeding Based on Genomic Research”
by Xingye Yang, Shicong Yu, Shen Yan, Hao Wang, Wei Fang, Yanqing Chen, Xiaoding Ma and Longzhi Han
Genes 2024, 15(5), 564; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes15050564
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/15/5/564

8. “Chloroplast Genomes of Vitis flexuosa and Vitis amurensis: Molecular Structure, Phylogenetic, and Comparative Analyses for Wild Plant Conservation”
by Ji Eun Kim, Keyong Min Kim, Yang Su Kim, Gyu Young Chung, Sang Hoon Che and Chae Sun Na
Genes 2024, 15(6), 761; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes15060761
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/15/6/761

9. “Dissecting the Genetic Diversity of USDA Cowpea Germplasm Collection Using Kompetitive Allele Specific PCR-Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Markers”
by Jesse Potts, Vincent N. Michael, Geoffrey Meru, Xingbo Wu and Matthew W. Blair
Genes 2024, 15(3), 362; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes15030362
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/15/3/362

10. “Unlocking the Genetic Identity of Endangered Paphiopedilum Orchids: A DNA Barcoding Approach”
by Małgorzata Karbarz, Dominika Szlachcikowska, Angelika Zapał and Agnieszka Leśko
Genes 2024, 15(6), 689; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes15060689
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/15/6/689

The “Animal Genetics and Genomics” Section of Genes (ISSN: 2073-4425) is dedicated to publishing original, novel, and high-impact contributions pertaining to this cross-disciplinary field, covering breeding, gene editing, disease resistance, and the population genetics of animals.
 
All papers are in an open access format, granting our readers free and unlimited access to the full text of all the articles published in our journal. We welcome you to read our most highly cited papers published in 2023 and 2024, which are listed below.

1. “Epigenetic Modulations for Prevention of Infectious Diseases in Shrimp Aquaculture”
by Gunasekara ChathuraWikumpriya, Madhuranga Walawedurage Srinith Prabhatha, Jiye Lee
and Chan-Hee Kim
Genes 2023, 14(9), 1682; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes14091682
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/14/9/1682

2. “Chromosome-Level Genome Assembly of the Blue Mussel Mytilus chilensis Reveals Molecular Signatures Facing the Marine Environment”
by Cristian Gallardo-Escárate, Valentina Valenzuela-Muñoz, Gustavo Nuñez-Acuña, Diego Valenzuela-Miranda, Fabian J. Tapia, Marco Yévenes, Gonzalo Gajardo, Jorge E. Toro, Pablo A. Oyarzún, Gloria Arriagada et al.
Genes 2023, 14(4), 876; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes14040876
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/14/4/876

3. “Fate Decisions of Chicken Primordial Germ Cells (PGCs): Development, Integrity, Sex Determination, and Self-Renewal Mechanisms”
by Kennosuke Ichikawa and Hiroyuki Horiuchi
Genes 2023, 14(3), 612; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes14030612
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/14/3/612

4. “Genome-Wide Analysis of Sheep Artificially or Naturally Infected with Gastrointestinal Nematodes”
by Jacob W. Thorne, Reid Redden, Scott A. Bowdridge, Gabrielle M. Becker, Morgan R. Stegemiller and Brenda M. Murdoch
Genes 2023, 14(7), 1342; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes14071342
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/14/7/1342

5. “Multiple Genetic Loci Associated with Pug Dog Thoracolumbar Myelopathy”
by Gustaf Brander, Cecilia Rohdin, Matteo Bianchi, Kerstin Bergvall, Göran Andersson, Ingrid Ljungvall, Karin Hultin Jäderlund, Jens Häggström, Åke Hedhammar, Kerstin Lindblad-Toh et al.
Genes 2023, 14(2), 385; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes14020385
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/14/2/385

6. “Informing Wildlife Corridor Creation through Population Genetics of an Arboreal Marsupial in a Fragmented Landscape”
by Ana Gracanin, Monica L. Knipler and Katarina M. Mikac
Genes 2023, 14(2), 349; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes14020349
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/14/2/349

7. “Genome-Wide Association Analysis of Semen Characteristics in Piétrain Boars”
by Henry Reyer, Ibrahim Abou-Soliman, Martin Schulze, Hubert Henne, Norbert Reinsch,
Jennifer Schoen and Klaus Wimmers
Genes 2024, 15(3), 382; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes15030382
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/15/3/382

8. “Defining a Haplotype Encompassing the LCORL-NCAPG Locus Associated with Increased Lean Growth in Beef Cattle”
by Leif E. Majeres, Anna C. Dilger, DanielW. Shike, Joshua C. McCann and Jonathan E. Beever
Genes 2024, 15(5), 576; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes15050576
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/15/5/576

9. “Genomic Characterization of Quality Wool Traits in Spanish Merino Sheep”
by Gabriel Anaya, Nora Laseca, Antonio Granero, Chiraz Ziadi, Francisco Arrebola, Andrés Domingo and Antonio Molina
Genes 2024, 15(6), 795; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes15060795
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/15/6/795

10. “Complete Mitochondrial Genome for Lucilia cuprina dorsalis (Diptera: Calliphoridae) from the Northern Territory, Australia”
by Shilpa Kapoor, Ying Ting Yang, Robyn N. Hall, Robin B. Gasser, Vernon M. Bowles, Trent Perry and Clare A. Anstead
Genes 2024, 15(4), 506; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes15040506
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/15/4/506

The Section “Technologies and Resources for Genetics” of Genes (ISSN: 2073-4425) focuses on novel methods and tools for generating and interpreting genomic data, covering topics such as genomic technologies, computational biology, and data analysis resources.

All papers are in an open access format, granting our readers free and unlimited access to the full text of all the articles published here. We welcome you to read our top viewed papers published in 2023 and 2024:

1. “Cell Type Annotation Model Selection: General-Purpose vs. Pattern-Aware Feature Gene Selection in Single-Cell RNA-Seq Data”
by Akram Vasighizaker, Yash Trivedi and Luis Rueda
Genes 2023, 14(3), 596; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes14030596
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/14/3/596

2. “MicroRNA Target Identification: Revisiting Accessibility and Seed Anchoring”
by Nicolas Homberg, Mariana Galvão Ferrarini, Christine Gaspin and Marie-France Sagot
Genes 2023, 14(3), 664; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes14030664
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/14/3/664

3. “Neuroinflammatory Pathways in the ALS-FTD Continuum: A Focus on Genetic Variants”
by Fabiola De Marchi, Giacomo Tondo, Lucia Corrado, Federico Menegon, Davide Aprile, Matteo Anselmi, Sandra D’Alfonso, Cristoforo Comi and Letizia Mazzini
Genes 2023, 14(8), 1658; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes14081658
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/14/8/1658

4. “One Step Closer to the Understanding of the Relationship IDR-LCR-Structure”
by Mariane Gonçalves-Kulik, Friederike Schmid and Miguel A. Andrade-Navarro
Genes 2023, 14(9), 1711; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes14091711
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/14/9/1711

5. “Robust Differential Abundance Analysis of Microbiome Sequencing Data”
by Guanxun Li, Lu Yang, Jun Chen and Xianyang Zhang
Genes 2023, 14(11), 2000; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes14112000
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/14/11/2000

6. “Antibiotic-Free Gene Vectors: A 25-Year Journey to Clinical Trials”
by Corinne Marie and Daniel Scherman
Genes 2024, 15(3), 261; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes15030261
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/15/3/261

7. “Optical Genome Mapping as a Potential Routine Clinical Diagnostic Method”
by Hayk Barseghyan, Doris Eisenreich, Evgenia Lindt, Martin Wendlandt, Florentine Scharf, Anna Benet-Pages, Kai Sendelbach, Teresa Neuhann, Angela Abicht, Elke Holinski-Feder et al.
Genes 2024, 15(3), 342; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes15030342
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/15/3/342

8. “A Simple Nonviral Method to Generate Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Using SMAR DNA Vectors”
by Anna Hartley, Luisa Burger, Cornelia L. Wincek, Lieke Dons, Tracy Li, Annabel Grewenig, Toros Taşgın, Manuela Urban, Alicia Roig-Merino, Mehrnaz Ghazvini et al.
Genes 2024, 15(5), 575; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes15050575
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/15/5/575

9. “Assessing DNA Degradation through Differential Amplification Efficiency of Total Human and Human Male DNA in a Forensic qPCR Assay”
by Elena Chierto, Serena Aneli, Nicola Nocco, Alessia Riem, Martina Onofri, Eugenia Carnevali and Carlo Robino
Genes 2024, 15(5), 622; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes15050622
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/15/5/622

10. “Extracellular Vesicles from NSC-34 MN-like Cells Transfected with Mutant SOD1 Modulate Inflammatory Status of Raw 264.7 Macrophages”
by Elisabetta Carata, Marco Muci, Stefania Mariano, Simona Di Giulio, Annamaria Nigro, Alessandro Romano and Elisa Panzarini
Genes 2024, 15(6), 735; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes15060735
Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/15/6/735

If you are an active researcher in this field and are interested in publishing innovative research, please do not hesitate to contact the Managing Editor, Ms. Jessie Guo (jessie.guo@mdpi.com).

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Prof. Dr. Ken Stedman as the new Section Editor-in-Chief of the Section “Viral Genomics” in Genes (ISSN: 2073-4425).

Prof. Dr. Ken Stedman is a Professor at Portland State University, where he conducts research at the Center for Life in Extreme Environments, Department of Biology. He has been teaching and performing research on extreme viruses at Portland State University since 2001. His research focuses on the structure, function, biochemistry, evolution, and genetics of viruses in extreme environments. Recently, his research has expanded into vaccine stabilization.

Prof. Dr. Stedman holds a PhD in molecular and cell biology from the University of California, Berkeley. He is a member of the American Society for Microbiology, American Society for Virology, American Association for the Advancement of Science, Oregon Nanoscience and Microtechnologies Institute, International Society for Extremophiles, Marie Curie Fellowship Association, and the International Society for Microbial Ecology.

The following is a short Q&A with Prof. Dr. Ken Stedman, who shared his vision for the journal with us, as well as his views on the current state of the field:

1. What recent developments in the field of viral genomics do you find most exciting?
I think that virus metagenomics is the area that’s most exciting right now because there are so many new discoveries being made in metagenomes. There are massive numbers of virus metagenomes available, and I believe many of them haven’t been published or analyzed yet. For me, that’s really the most exciting aspect, and I think it represents the future direction of the field.

2. How has your experience been as a member of the Editorial Board, and what motivated you to accept the role of Section Editor-in-Chief?
I’ve been on the board of Genes for a few years, and I didn’t realize there was a Section dedicated to viral genomics. I believe that with my contacts and the role of Section Editor-in-Chief, I can help highlight the vast number of viral metagenomes that are currently hidden away in databases or in my colleagues’ collections. I think that as Section Editor-in-Chief, I would have the opportunity to make these metagenomes more publicly visible, and I believe Genes would be an excellent venue for publishing them.

3. What are your expectations and suggestions for the future growth of our Section and the journal? What is your vision for its development?
My expectations and suggestions are closely tied to viral metagenomics. I would like to bring together a Special Issue on this topic, as I believe this is an area where both the Section and the journal could expand. Genes could be a particularly strong platform for publishing these types of articles, especially since there isn’t a dedicated journal focused on viral metagenomics at this time.

4. What is your perspective on the rise of open access publishing in the academic field? How do you believe it has impacted your area of study, and what potential effects do you foresee it having on your field and science overall in the future?
In the long term, I think open access publishing is a fantastic idea, as it makes science accessible to a much broader community. In the short term, however, I’m a bit concerned about how it will sustain itself, especially in the current funding environment in the U.S. It’s unclear how it will continue to be supported from a resource perspective. I’ve been fortunate to have funding, and I strive to publish open access because I believe it’s the right thing to do.

5. When selecting a journal for publication, what aspects do you value the most?
First and foremost, I’m a big fan of open access and Society journals, so I would choose one of these. It’s not just for me; it’s also for my colleagues. Whether we like it or not, the scientific system we live in values Impact Factors, particularly for younger scientists. When deciding where to publish research that isn’t a huge breakthrough, we specifically aim to publish in journals that we believe will attract a readership interested in our work. A lot of this also depends on the Editorial Board, as they understand the value of what you are trying to publish.

6. What advice or suggestions do you have for emerging scholars in your field?
My main recommendation is always to publish, publish, publish! As one of my colleagues used to say, “If it’s not published, it never happened.” Another piece of advice I give is to try and publish in an open access journal. I often mention to my students that the individual paper’s quality is more important than the journal’s Impact Factor. If it’s a really good paper, it will get cited, especially if it’s open access and accessible to people. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter too much which journal it’s published in.

We wish Prof. Dr. Ken Stedman every success in his new position, and we look forward to his contributions to the journal.

We are pleased to announce the winner of the Genes Best PhD Thesis Award for 2024. This award recognizes their outstanding doctoral research, which demonstrates exceptional scholarship and significant potential for impact in the fields of genetics and genomics.

We are proud to extend our congratulations to the following awardee:

• Dr. Jeremie Oliver Piña, from the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA, for his thesis entitled “Multi-Omic Spatiotemporal Resolution of Wnt-Mediated Signaling During Normal and Abnormal Palate Formation”.

As the awardee, Dr. Piña will receive CHF 800, an electronic certificate, and a voucher to waive the article processing charge (APC) for one submission in Genes (ISSN: 2073-4425), subject to peer review, which will be valid for one year.

With an impressive number of high-quality submissions, the selection process was highly competitive. The Genes Editorial Office and Award Evaluation Committee would like to thank all applicants for their excellent contributions, which covered a wide variety of research topics. On behalf of the award committee, we congratulate Dr. Piña on his remarkable achievement.

Building on the success of this year's award, we are pleased to announce that nominations for the Genes Best PhD Thesis Award for PhD students defending their theses in 2025 are now open. We encourage all eligible candidates to apply via https://www.mdpi.com/journal/genes/awards/3688.

Genes Editorial Office

In support of World Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Awareness Week 2025, MDPI is delighted to invite you to our special webinar, “MDPI World AMR Awareness Week Webinar 2025”. This year’s theme, “Act Now: Protect Our Present, Secure Our Future”, serves as a powerful call to immediate action against one of the most pressing global health threats—antimicrobial resistance.

Through this webinar, we aim to highlight the latest research, innovations, and cross-sector collaborations addressing AMR. We hope these discussions will inspire collective action to promote the prudent use of antimicrobials, strengthen prevention and surveillance systems, and accelerate global efforts to safeguard human, animal, and environmental health.

Thank you for joining us as we raise awareness, exchange insights, and reaffirm our shared commitment to a healthier, more resilient future.

keywords: antimicrobial resistance; antifungal resistance; food chain contamination; biofilm infections; nanomedicine; microbial genetics; mycology; public health

Date: 21 November 2025
Time: 9:00 a.m. CET | 4:00 p.m. CST (Asia)
Webinar ID: 883 6849 1341
Webinar Secretariat: journal.webinar@mdpi.com

Register now for free!

Program:

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

Unable to attend? Register anyway, and we will let you know when the recording is available for viewing.

Webinar Speakers:

• Dr. José Cobo-Díaz, Department of Food Hygiene and Technology, University of Leon, Spain;
• Dr. Ana Alastruey-Izquierdo, National Microbiology Center, Carlos III Health Institute, Spain;
• Dr.  Anam Ahsan, Clinical & Health Sciences / Centre for Pharmaceutical Innovation, University of South Australia, Australia;
• Prof. Dr. Michaela Lackner, Medical University of Innsbruck (MUI), Institute of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology (HMM), Austria;
• Dr.  Elena Perrin, Department of Biology, University of Florence, Italy.