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:

Editor’s Choice Articles are based on recommendations by the scientific editors of MDPI journals from around the world. Editors select a small number of articles recently published in the journal that they believe will be particularly interesting to readers, or important in the respective research area. The aim is to provide a snapshot of some of the most exciting work published in the various research areas of the journal. You are welcome to read the updated 2025 Q1 Editor’s Choice Articles, a curated list of high-quality articles from Genes (ISSN: 2073-4425).

The full list of Editor’s Choice Articles can be viewed at the following link: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/genes/editors_choice.

A list of these papers is provided below:

1. “Liquid Biopsy and Challenge of Assay Heterogeneity for Minimal Residual Disease Assessment in Colon Cancer Treatment”
by Giovanni Crisafulli
Genes 2025, 16(1), 71; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16010071
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/16/1/71

2. “Genomic and Transcriptomic Approaches Advance the Diagnosis and Prognosis of Neurodegenerative Diseases”
by Si-Yuan Song and Zheng Liu
Genes 2025, 16(2), 135; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16020135
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/16/2/135

3. “Methods for Extracellular Vesicle Isolation: Relevance for Encapsulated miRNAs in Disease Diagnosis and Treatment”
by Elisa Oltra and Maria Ljungström
Genes 2025, 16(3), 330; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16030330
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/16/3/330

4. “Trophectoderm Biopsy: Present State of the Art”
by Anick De Vos and Neelke De Munck
Genes 2025, 16(2), 134; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16020134
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/16/2/134

5. “Systematic Review: Fragile X Syndrome Across the Lifespan with a Focus on Genetics, Neurodevelopmental, Behavioral and Psychiatric Associations”
by Ann C. Genovese and Merlin G. Butler
Genes 2025, 16(2), 149; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16020149
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/16/2/149

6. “Nucleotide Excision Repair: Insights into Canonical and Emerging Functions of the Transcription/DNA Repair Factor TFIIH”
by Amélie Zachayus, Arnaud Poterszman, Jules Loup-Forest and Vincent Cura
Genes 2025, 16(2), 231; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16020231
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/16/2/231

7. “The Association Between Statin Drugs and Rhabdomyolysis: An Analysis of FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) Data and Transcriptomic Profiles”
by Ariana Crescitelli, Feng Cheng, Jacob Ward, Kun Bu, Madison Martin, Paola M. Hernandez Velez, Robert Morris, Savanah Wood and Weiru Han
Genes 2025, 16(3), 248; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16030248
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/16/3/248

8. “Recent Advances in Stroke Genetics—Unraveling the Complexity of Cerebral Infarction: A Brief Review”
by Hiroshi Yamagami, Takeshi Yoshimoto and Yuji Matsumaru
Genes 2025, 16(1), 59; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16010059
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/16/1/59

9. “Comparative Study of Statistical Approaches and SNP Panels to Infer Distant Relationships in Forensic Genetics”
by Andreas Tillmar and Daniel Kling
Genes 2025, 16(2), 114; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16020114
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/16/2/114

10. “The Impact of Klotho in Cancer: From Development and Progression to Therapeutic Potential”
by Ana M. Minaya-Bravo, Carlos Casanova-Martín, Cielo Garcia-Montero, Diego De Leon-Oliva, Diego Liviu Boaru, Laura Lopez-Gonzalez, Melchor Alvarez-Mon, Miguel A. Ortega, Miguel A. Saez, Oscar Fraile-Martinez et al.
Genes 2025, 16(2), 128; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16020128
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/16/2/128

11. “Pharmacogenomic and Pharmacomicrobiomic Aspects of Drugs of Abuse”
by Alejandro Borrego-Ruiz and Juan J. Borrego
Genes 2025, 16(4), 403; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16040403
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/16/4/403

12. “Hallmarks of DNA Damage Response in Germination Across Model and Crop Species”
by Andrea Pagano, Conrado Jr Dueñas, Federico Sincinelli, Shraddha Shridhar Gaonkar and Sri Amarnadh Gupta Tondepu
Genes 2025, 16(1), 95; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16010095
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/16/1/95

13. “The Prevalence of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms of the AOC1 Gene Associated with Diamine Oxidase (DAO) Enzyme Deficiency in Healthy Newborns: A Prospective Population-Based Cohort Study”
by Emma Fortes Marin, Laia Martí Melero, Lydia Carrera Marcolin, María Tintoré Gazulla and Mireia Beltran Porres
Genes 2025, 16(2), 141; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16020141
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/16/2/141

14. “Cutting-Edge Advances in Cystic Fibrosis: From Gene Therapy to Personalized Medicine and Holistic Management”
by Giulia Pecora, Giuseppe Fabio Parisi, Maria Papale, Monica Tosto, Salvatore Leonardi, Santiago Presti, Sara Manti and Vito Terlizzi
Genes 2025, 16(4), 402; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16040402
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/16/4/402

15. “Lipoprotein Lipase: Structure, Function, and Genetic Variation”
by Adam D. McIntyre, Jian Wang, Robert A. Hegele and Shehan D. Perera
Genes 2025, 16(1), 55; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16010055
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/16/1/55

16. “Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: New Clinical and Therapeutic Perspectives of an “Old” Genetic Myocardial Disease”
by Chiara Calore, Cristina Basso, Domenico Corrado, Gaetano Thiene and Mario Mangia
Genes 2025, 16(1), 74; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16010074
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/16/1/74

17. “The Impact of Storage Conditions on DNA Preservation in Human Skeletal Remains: A Comparison of Freshly Excavated Samples and Those Stored for 12 Years in a Museum Depot”
by Irena Zupanič Pajnič, Tamara Leskovar and Tonja Jeromelj
Genes 2025, 16(1), 78; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16010078
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/16/1/78

18. “Hereditary Breast Cancer: Comprehensive Risk Assessment and Prevention Strategies”
by Aliana Guerrieri-Gonzaga, Bernardo Bonanni, Cecilia Altemura, Cristina Zanzottera, Davide Serrano, Eliza Del Fiol Manna, Francesca Fava, Gaetano Aurilio, Irene Feroce, Laura Cazzaniga et al.
Genes 2025, 16(1), 82; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16010082
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/16/1/82

19. “Further Development of SAMPDI-3D: A Machine Learning Method for Predicting Binding Free Energy Changes Caused by Mutations in Either Protein or DNA”
by Emil Alexov, Prawin Rimal, Shailesh Kumar Panday and Shamrat Kumar Paul
Genes 2025, 16(1), 101; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16010101
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/16/1/101

20. “Comparative Analysis of Genomic and Pedigree-Based Approaches for Genetic Evaluation of Morphological Traits in Pura Raza Española Horses”
by Ana Encina, Antonio Molina, Arancha Rodríguez-Sainz de los Terreros, Chiraz Ziadi, Davinia Perdomo-González, Mercedes Valera, Nora Laseca, Pedro Azor and Sebastián Demyda-Peyrás
Genes 2025, 16(2), 131; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16020131
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/16/2/131

21. “Exploring miR-21 Knock-Out Using CRISPR/Cas as a Treatment for Lung Cancer”
by Ana R. Rama, Araceli Aguilar-González, Cristina Mesas, Francisco Martín, Javier Moreno and Patricia Lara
Genes 2025, 16(2), 133; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16020133
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/16/2/133

22. “Syndromic and Non-Syndromic Primary Failure of Tooth Eruption: A Genetic Overview”
by Clarissa Modafferi, Cristina Grippaudo, Elisabetta Tabolacci and Pietro Chiurazzi
Genes 2025, 16(2), 147; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16020147
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/16/2/147

23. “Integrating Machine Learning-Based Approaches into the Design of ASO Therapies”
by Jamie Leckie and Toshifumi Yokota
Genes 2025, 16(2), 185; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16020185
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/16/2/185

24. “Exploring the Genotoxic Stress Response in Primed Orphan Legume Seeds Challenged with Heat Stress”
by Alma Balestrazzi, Amine Elleuch, Andrea Pagano, Bassem Khemakhem, Conrado Dueñas, Dimosthenis Chachalis, Eleni Tani, Hanen El Abed, Maria Goufa and Nicolò Bedotto
Genes 2025, 16(2), 235; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16020235
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/16/2/235

25. “Genomic Patterns of Homozygosity and Genetic Diversity in the Rhenish German Draught Horse”
by Johanna Sievers and Ottmar Distl
Genes 2025, 16(3), 327; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16030327
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/16/3/327

26. “Cross-Kingdom Communication via Plant-Derived Extracellular Vesicle Nucleic Acids in Genetically Engineered Nicotiana tabacum”
by Carla Emiliani, Cristina Federici, Eleonora Calzoni, Emidio Albertini, Federica Delo, Federica Fratini, Giada Cerrotti, Jacopo Lucci, Lorena Urbanelli, Luana Lugini et al.
Genes 2025, 16(3), 356; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16030356
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/16/3/356

27. “Cardiac Fibroblasts: Helping or Hurting”
by Akhilesh Kumar, Bhairab N. Singh, Ezequiel Marron Fernandez de Velasco, Mohammad Shameem and Shelby L.Olson
Genes 2025, 16(4), 381; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16040381
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/16/4/381

28. “Toxoplasma Gondii Replication During Belatacept Treatment in Kidney Transplantation: A Case Report and a Review of the Literature”
by Ananya De, Giovanna Capolongo, Giulio Viceconte, Mariadelina Simeoni, Raafiah Izhar, Raffaella Vigilante, Rosa Maria Pollastro and Rossella Di Paola
Genes 2025, 16(4), 391; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16040391
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/16/4/391

29. “Chromosomal rDNA Distribution Patterns in Clonal Cobitis Triploid Hybrids (Teleostei, Cobitidae): Insights into Parental Genomic Contributions”
by Alicja Boroń, Anna Grabowska, Dorota Juchno, Lech Kirtiklis, Olga Jablonska and Sara Duda
Genes 2025, 16(1), 68; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16010068
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/16/1/68

30. “Evaluation of Genetic Diversity and Identification of Cultivars in Spray-Type Chrysanthemum Based on SSR Markers”
by Jae-A Jung, Manjulatha Mekapogu, So-Hyeon Lim, Su-Young Lee and Youn-Jung Choi
Genes 2025, 16(1), 81; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16010081
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/16/1/81

31. “MicroRNAs miR-148a-3p, miR-425-3p, and miR-20a-5p in Patients with IgA Nephropathy”
by Andrzej Pawlik, Ewa Kwiatkowska, Jarosław Przybyciński, Krzysztof Safranow, Leszek Domański, Michał Czerewaty and Violetta Dziedziejko
Genes 2025, 16(2), 125; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16020125
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/16/2/125

32. “Combined Effect of Conventional Chemotherapy with Epigenetic Modulators on Glioblastoma”
by Adrian Albulescu, Adriana Plesa, Alina Fudulu, Anca Botezatu, Camelia Mia Hotnog, Iulia Virginia Iancu, Lorelei Brasoveanu, Marinela Bostan and Mirela Mihăilă
Genes 2025, 16(2), 138; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16020138
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/16/2/138

33. “Molecular Markers Specific for the Pseudomonadaceae Genera Provide Novel and Reliable Means for the Identification of Other Pseudomonas Strains/spp. Related to These Genera”
by Bashudev Rudra and Radhey S. Gupta
Genes 2025, 16(2), 183; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16020183
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/16/2/183

34. “Narrative Review of Genetic and Immunological Mechanisms Involved in the Pathogenesis of Kimura’s Disease: New Therapeutic Targets”
by Antonella Loperfido, Bruno Fionda, Carlo Cavaliere, Gianluca Bellocchi, Marco Caminati, and Simonetta Masieri
Genes 2025, 16(2), 194; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16020194
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/16/2/194

35. “Molecular Review of Suspected Alport Syndrome Patients—A Single-Centre Experience”
by Beata Chałupczyńska, Dorota Siestrzykowska, Dorota Wicher, Elżbieta Ciara, Ewelina Bielska, Grażyna Kostrzewa, Katarzyna Iwanicka-Pronicka, Krystyna Chrzanowska, Łukasz Obrycki, Michał Pac et al.
Genes 2025, 16(2), 196; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16020196
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/16/2/196

36. “Product Speculation from Carotenogenic Gene Cluster of Nonlabens spongiae Genome, and Identification of Myxol and Functional Analysis of Each Gene”
by Daiki Mineo, Keisuke Nakazawa, Kenjiro Sugiyama, Shinichi Takaichi, Susumu Yoshizawa and Takuya Harayama
Genes 2025, 16(2), 202; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16020202
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/16/2/202

37. “Advances in Understanding the Karyotype Evolution of Tetrapulmonata and Two Other Arachnid Taxa, Ricinulei and Solifugae”
by Alexander V. Gromov, Alexandr Sember, Azucena C. Reyes Lerma, František Šťáhlavský, Iva Vrbová, Ivalú M. Ávila Herrera, Jairo A. Moreno-González, Jana Musilová, Jiří Král, José G. Palacios Vargas et al.
Genes 2025, 16(2), 207; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16020207
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/16/2/207

38. “Retinal Disease Variability in Female Carriers of RPGR Variants Associated with Retinitis Pigmentosa: Clinical and Genetic Parameters”
by David C. Sousa, Fred K. Chen, Jasleen K. Jolly, Jennifer A. Thompson, Lauren N. Ayton, Myra B. McGuinness, Sena A. Gocuk, Terri L. McLaren, Thomas L. Edwards and Tina M. Lamey
Genes 2025, 16(2), 221; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16020221
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/16/2/221

39. “Chromatin Remodulator CHD4: A Potential Target for Cancer Interception”
by Chinthalapally V. Rao, Karthikkumar Venkatachalam, Krishnendu Goswami, Surya P. Singh and Venkateshwar Madka
Genes 2025, 16(2), 225; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16020225
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/16/2/225

40. “Genetics of Gallstones”
by Adam Czaplicki, Adam Przybyłkowski and Agnieszka Pęczuła
Genes 2025, 16(3), 256; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16030256
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/16/3/256

41. “Targeting Optimal Bone Regions: Correlations Between Bone Density and DNA Quality in Small Skeletal Elements”
by Eva Podovšovnik, Irena Zupanič-Pajnič, Vladka Salapura and Živa Miriam Geršak
Genes 2025, 16(3), 291; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16030291
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/16/3/291

42. “Curious Dichotomies of Apolipoprotein E Function in Alzheimer’s Disease and Cancer—One Explanatory Mechanism of Inverse Disease Associations?”
by Abigail J. Harland, Claire M. Perks, Ellie O’Sullivan, Emily Gill, Gideon Stone, Haonan Li, Mai Alhadrami, Mary Grishaw, Omar Alkahtani, Patrick G. Kehoe, Peter Henley, Rachel M. Barker and Xiaoyu Su
Genes 2025, 16(3), 331; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16030331
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/16/3/331

43. “Relationship Between Vitamin D Receptor Gene BsmI Polymorphism and 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Total Levels in Slovak Postmenopausal Women with Reduced Bone Mineral Density”
by Anna Piotrowska, Bernadeta Jędrzejkiewicz, Hedviga Hrušovská, Lenka Anderková, Ľudmila Mikulová, Marta Mydlárová Blaščáková, Olga Czerwińska-Ledwig and Zuzana Lőrinczová
Genes 2025, 16(3), 337; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16030337
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/16/3/337

44. “Screening Methods to Discover the FDA-Approved Cancer Drug Encorafenib as Optimally Selective for Metallothionein Gene Loss Ovarian Cancer”
by Amy Rees, Andrew Disharoon, Clare Fallon, Della Evans, Evan Villamor, Joe R. Delaney, Mirna Mina-Abouda, Monika Gooz and Scott T. Eblen
Genes 2025, 16(1), 42; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16010042
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/16/1/42

45. “The Plethora of RNA–Protein Interactions Model a Basis for RNA Therapies”
by Hua Cui, Jia Sheng, Ricky P. Dartawan and Stephen J. Dansereau
Genes 2025, 16(1), 48; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16010048
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/16/1/48

46. “Pan-Cancer Upregulation of the FOXM1 Transcription Factor”
by Arianna Bellezza, Daniele Pozzobon and Federico M. Giorgi
Genes 2025, 16(1), 56; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16010056
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/16/1/56

47. “Novel OTOG Variants and Clinical Features of Hearing Loss in a Large Japanese Cohort”
by Akira Ganaha, Fumio Takada, Hiroshi Futagawa, Kazuma Sugahara, Kentaro Egusa, Kotaro Ishikawa, Kyoko Nagai, Masato Teraoka, Mayuri Okami, Shin Masuda et al.
Genes 2025, 16(1), 60; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16010060
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/16/1/60

48. “Expanding the Molecular Spectrum of MMP21 Missense Variants: Clinical Insights and Literature Review”
by Beatrice Spedicati, Domizia Pasquetti, Federica Perino, Giorgia Girotto, Marco Bobbo, Paola Tesolin, Stefania Zampieri and Thomas Caiffa
Genes 2025, 16(1), 62; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16010062
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/16/1/62

49. “22q11.21 Deletions: A Review on the Interval Mediated by Low-Copy Repeats C and D”
by Angelo Valetto, Annalisa Legitimo, Francesca Cambi, Giorgio Costagliola, Rita Consolini and Veronica Bertini
Genes 2025, 16(1), 72; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16010072
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/16/1/72

50. “The X-Linked Tumor Suppressor TSPX Regulates Genes Involved in the EGFR Signaling Pathway and Cell Viability to Suppress Lung Adenocarcinoma”
by Hui Kong, Tatsuo Kido and Yun-Fai Chris Lau
Genes 2025, 16(1), 75; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16010075
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/16/1/75

51. “Chromosome 4 Duplication Associated with Strabismus Leads to Gene Expression Changes in iPSC-Derived Cortical Neurons”
by Ashish Jain, Liang Sun, Mary C. Whitman, Mayra Martinez-Sanchez, Sampath Vemula, Shira Rockowitz and William Skarnes
Genes 2025, 16(1), 80; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16010080
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/16/1/80

52. “Identifying Genetic Predisposition to Dozer Lamb Syndrome: A Semi-Lethal Muscle Weakness Disease in Sheep”
by Brenda M. Murdoch, David S. Biller, Holly Neaton, Kathleen M. Ewert, Margaret A. Highland and Morgan R. Stegemiller
Genes 2025, 16(1), 83; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16010083
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/16/1/83

53. “Casein Kinase I Protein Hrr25 Is Required for Pin4 Phosphorylation and Mediates Cell Wall Integrity Signaling in Saccharomyces cerevisiae”
by Amita Bhattarai, Manika Bhondeley and Zhengchang Liu
Genes 2025, 16(1), 94; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16010094
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/16/1/94

54. “History of Biological Databases, Their Importance, and Existence in Modern Scientific and Policy Context”
by Jan Krzysztof Nowak, Jarosław Walkowiak, Karolina Wielgus, Marlena Szalata, Mikołaj Danielewski and Ryszard Słomski
Genes 2025, 16(1), 100; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16010100
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/16/1/100

55. “Genome-Wide Identification and Characterization of Histone Acetyltransferases and Deacetylases in Cucumber, and Their Implication in Developmental Processes”
by Aparna, Agnieszka Skarzyńska-Łyżwa, Magdalena Pawełkowicz, Maksymilian Pisz, Szymon Turek and Wojciech Pląder
Genes 2025, 16(2), 127; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16020127
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/16/2/127

56. “16q24.3 Microdeletions Disrupting Upstream Non-Coding Region of ANKRD11 Cause KBG Syndrome”
by Aiko Iwata-Otsubo, Alyssa L. Rippert, Cara M. Skraban, Christopher Gray, Elaine H. Zackai, Holly A Dubbs, Jorune Balciuniene, Kosuke Izumi, Laura K. Conlin, Matthew A. Deardorff, Preetha Markose, Robert Chen and Sarah K. Fiordaliso
Genes 2025, 16(2), 136; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16020136
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/16/2/136

57. “Genetic Overlap of Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms and Intracranial Aneurysms”
by Afsheen Nasir, Alexandra Sonsino, Asanish Kalyanasundaram, Bulat A. Ziganshin, John A. Elefteriades, Mah I Kan Changez, Mohammad A. Zafar and Syeda Manahil Jeoffrey
Genes 2025, 16(2), 154; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16020154
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/16/2/154

58. “An Actively Homing Insertion Element in a Phage Methylase Contains a Hidden HNH Endonuclease”
by Danielle Arsenault, Johann Peter Gogarten and Sophia P. Gosselin
Genes 2025, 16(2), 178; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16020178
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/16/2/178

59. “Evaluation of Prenatal Transportation Stress on DNA Methylation (DNAm) and Gene Expression in the Hypothalamic–Pituitary–Adrenal (HPA) Axis Tissues of Mature Brahman Cows”
by Audrey L. Earnhardt-San, Charles R. Long, David G. Riley, Emilie C. Baker, Kubra Z. Cilkiz, Noushin Ghaffari, Penny K. Riggs, Rodolfo C. Cardoso, Ronald D. Randel and Thomas H. Welsh
Genes 2025, 16(2), 191; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16020191
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/16/2/191

60. “The POLG Variant c.678G>C; p.(Gln226His) Is Associated with Mitochondrial Abnormalities in Fibroblasts Derived from a Patient Compared to a First-Degree Relative”
by Çağla Çakmak Durmaz, Felix Langerscheidt, Hans Zempel, Imra Mantey, Katharina Burghardt, Mert Karakaya and Naomi Baba
Genes 2025, 16(2), 198; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16020198
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/16/2/198

1 December is World AIDS Day, the day is an opportunity for public and private partners to spread awareness about the status of the pandemic and encourage progress in HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and care around the world. It has become one of the most widely recognized international health days.

In recognition of this day, we recommend the following related articles, Special Issues, and journals spanning multidisciplinary fields, including clinical medicine and biology. We believe that sharing such research can raise the public’s awareness and understanding of AIDS. The aim is to strengthen scientific cooperation in response to increased awareness about HIV/AIDS and to demonstrate international solidarity in the face of the pandemic.

“Progress and Challenges in HIV-1 Vaccine Research: A Comprehensive Overview”
by Alex C. Boomgarden and Chitra Upadhyay
Vaccines 2025, 13(2), 148; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines13020148

“Drug-Drug Interactions Between HIV Antivirals and Concomitant Drugs in HIV Patients: What We Know and What We Need to Know”
by Emanuela De Bellis, Danilo Donnarumma, Adele Zarrella, Salvatore Maria Mazzeo, Annarita Pagano, Valentina Manzo, Ines Mazza, Francesco Sabbatino, Graziamaria Corbi, Pasquale Pagliano et al.
Pharmaceutics 2025, 17(1), 31; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics17010031

“High Prevalence of High-Risk HPV Among People with and Without HIV: Insights into Risk Factors for Tailored Screening Approaches”
by Elena Bruzzesi, Federica Gandini, Sara Diotallevi, Riccardo Lolatto, Massimo Cernuschi, Caterina Candela, Angelo Roberto Raccagni, Flavia Passini, Andrea Marco Tamburini, Roberto Burioni et al.
Microorganisms 2024, 12(12), 2571; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12122571

“Association Between Left Ventricular Diastolic Dysfunction, Systemic Inflammation, and Gastrointestinal Symptoms in HIV-Positive Patients on Antiretroviral Therapy”
by Madalina-Ianca Suba, Bogdan Hogea, Ahmed Abu-Awwad, Voichita Elena Lazureanu, Ovidiu Rosca, Daniela Gurgus, Sorina Maria Denisa Laitin and Alina Abu-Awwad
Diseases 2024, 12(12), 313; https://doi.org/10.3390/diseases12120313

“NSC95397 Is a Novel HIV-1 Latency-Reversing Agent”
by Randilea Nichols Doyle, Vivian Yang, Yetunde I. Kayode, Robert Damoiseaux, Harry E. Taylor and Oliver I. Fregoso
Viruses 2024, 16(11), 1783; https://doi.org/10.3390/v16111783

“HIV Self-Testing: A Discussion on the Benefits, Limitations, and Implications for Public Health with a Focus on Poland”
by Aleksandra Kozieł, Igor Domański, Aleksandra Szymczak, Tomasz Dudzik, Brygida Knysz and Bartosz Szetela
Diagnostics 2024, 14(22), 2475; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics14222475

“Tumor Initiation and Progression in People Living on Antiretroviral Therapies”
by Seun E. Olufemi, Daniel A. Adediran, Temitope Sobodu, Isaac O. Adejumo, Olumide F. Ajani and Elijah K. Oladipo
Biologics 2024, 4(4), 390-406; https://doi.org/10.3390/biologics4040024

“J3ExoA: A Novel Anti-HIV Immunotoxin Fusion of Anti-Gp120 J3VHH and PE38 Fragment of Pseudomonas Exotoxin A”
by Seth H. Pincus, Kun Luo, Tami Peters, James T. Gordy, Frances M. Cole, Grant Klug, Kelli Ober, Tamera K. Marcotte and Richard B. Markham
Pharmaceuticals 2025, 18(9), 1305; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph18091305

“A Memo on Factors Associated with Perception of Stigma Attached to PrEP: Evidence from the Keeping It LITE Study”
by Shahin Davoudpour, Gregory L. Phillips II, Pedro A. Serrano, Audrey L. French and Sybil G. Hosek
Sexes 2024, 5(3), 300-316; https://doi.org/10.3390/sexes5030023

“Effects of E-Cigarettes on the Lung and Systemic Metabolome in People with HIV”
by Aline Zaparte, Courtney J. Christopher, Connie Arnold, Lauren Richey, Adairre Castille, Kyle Mistretta, Christopher M. Taylor, Huiyi Lin, Steve Nelson, John P. Kirwan, John W. Apolzan, Shawn R. Campagna and David A. Welsh
Metabolites 2024, 14(8), 434; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo14080434

“Bone Tissue Changes in Individuals Living with HIV/AIDS: The Importance of a Hierarchical Approach in Investigating Bone Fragility”
by Jelena Jadzic, Gordana Dragovic, Relja Lukic, Bozana Obradovic and Marija Djuric
J. Pers. Med. 2024, 14(8), 791; https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm14080791

“Advanced Therapies for Human Immunodeficiency Virus”
by Daniel Josef Lindegger
Med. Sci. 2024, 12(3), 33; https://doi.org/10.3390/medsci12030033

“Antiretroviral Therapy Switch in HIV-Infected Adults from a Regional HIV/AIDS Center in NE Romania”
by Isabela Ioana Loghin, Șerban Alin Rusu, Andrei Vâţă, Mihaela Cobaschi, Ion Cecan, Carmen Manciuc and Carmen Mihaela Dorobăţ
Medicina 2024, 60(6), 854; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina60060854

“Alterations in the Gut Microbiome Composition of People Living with HIV in the Asia–Pacific Region: A Systematic Review”
by Paul Benedic U. Salvador, Patrick Josemaria d. R. Altavas, Mark Angelo S. del Rosario, Eric David B. Ornos and Leslie Michelle M. Dalmacio
Clin. Pract. 2024, 14(3), 846-861; https://doi.org/10.3390/clinpract14030066

“Systematic Review: HIV, Aging, and Housing—A North American Perspective, 2012–2023”
by Arthur S. Chaminuka, Gayle Prybutok, Victor R. Prybutok and William D. Senn
Healthcare 2024, 12(10), 992; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12100992

“The Role of MicroRNAs in HIV Infection”
by Nicolas Morando, Mara Cecilia Rosenzvit, Maria A. Pando and Jens Allmer
Genes 2024, 15(5), 574; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes15050574

“HIV-TB Co-Infection and Pediatric Pathogen Dynamics” Guest Editor: Dr. Boris Kevin Tchounga Submission deadline: 15 March 2026	“HIV Expression in Diverse Cell Types: Mechanisms, Regulation, and Pathogenesis” Guest Editor: Dr. Rosemary Kiernan Submission deadline: 20 March 2026
“Research on HIV/AIDS Vaccine” Guest Editors: Dr. Portia Chipo Mutevedzi and Dr. Nagesh Kolishetti Submission deadline: 31 May 2026	“Gene and Cell Therapy: New Findings from Medical Research and Treatment” Guest Editors: Dr. Lorella Tripodi and Dr. Antonio Di Stasi Submission deadline: 30 June 2026
“Emerging Knowledge on Human Immunodeficiency Virus” Guest Editors: Dr. Giota Lourida and Prof. Dr. Dimitrios Paraskevis Submission deadline: 22 July 2026	“Nutrition Intervention in HIV Patients” Guest Editors: Dr. Meena Mahadevan Submission deadline: 10 August 2026

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.