Bioactive Peptides: Discovery, Synthesis, and Therapeutic Applications
A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Bioactives and Nutraceuticals".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 February 2026 | Viewed by 21
Special Issue Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Bioactive peptides have emerged as a versatile and promising class of biomolecules with significant therapeutic potential. Derived from natural sources such as food proteins, microorganisms, and engineered systems, bioactive peptides exert diverse biological effects, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, anticancer, and immunomodulatory activities. Their structural flexibility, biocompatibility, and ability to modulate key molecular pathways make them attractive candidates for novel pharmacological interventions, functional foods, and regenerative medicine.
This Special Issue of IJMS, “Bioactive Peptides: Discovery, Synthesis, and Therapeutic Applications”, aims to highlight recent advances in peptide identification, synthesis, structure–function relationships, mechanistic studies, and clinical applications. We welcome both original research and review articles that explore peptide discovery strategies, innovative therapeutic targets, delivery systems, and translational studies. Contributions addressing peptide-based diagnostics, drug design, and disease models are also encouraged.
Suitable topics include, but are not limited to: identification and characterization of novel bioactive peptides from natural sources (food, microorganisms, marine organisms, plants, animals); synthetic and engineered peptides for therapeutic applications; structure–activity relationships and molecular mechanisms of bioactive peptides; antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antiviral peptides; peptide-based therapeutics for cancer, cardiovascular, metabolic, and neurodegenerative diseases; bone health and musculoskeletal applications of peptides; peptide modulators of immune response and inflammation; peptide-based strategies for wound healing and tissue regeneration; peptide delivery systems: nanocarriers, hydrogels, and conjugates for improved stability and bioavailability; computational approaches, peptide design, and high-throughput screening methods; translational studies and clinical applications of bioactive peptides; peptide biomarkers for disease diagnosis and monitoring.
We look forward to receiving your contributions that expand the knowledge of bioactive peptides and accelerate their potential clinical and biotechnological applications.
Prof. Dr. Chuan-Mu Chen
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- bioactive peptides
- functional food-derived peptides
- antimicrobial and antiviral peptides
- peptide drug design and delivery
- anticancer peptides
- peptide-based therapeutics
- regenerative medicine
- immunomodulatory peptides
- structure–function relationships
- translational peptide research
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