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International Journal of Molecular Sciences publishes Special Issues to create collections of papers on specific topics, with the aim of building a community of authors and readers to discuss the latest research and develop new ideas and research directions. Special Issues are led by Guest Editors, who are experts on the topic and all Special Issue submissions follow MDPI's standard editorial process. The journal’s Editor-in-Chief and/or designated Editorial Board Member will oversee Guest Editor appointments and Special Issue proposals, checking their content for relevance and ensuring the suitability of the material for the journal. The papers published in a Special Issue will be collected and displayed on a dedicated page of the journal’s website. Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies and Guest Editor responsibilities can be found here. For any inquiries related to a Special Issue, please contact the Editorial Office.

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Long COVID Biology and Epidemiology: Predisposition, Molecular Mechanisms and Diagnostics

edited by Eduardo José Melo dos Santos

submission deadline 31 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 148 | Submission Open

Keywords: long COVID; genetic predisposing; long COVID epidemiology; pathogenesis; immunology of long COVID; long COVID etiology

(This special issue belongs to the Section Molecular Pathology, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics)

Advances in Animal Nutrition and Muscle Biology

edited by Usuk Jung

submission deadline 31 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 146 | Submission Open

Keywords: animal nutrition; metabolic regulation; molecular biology; molecular mechanisms; skeletal muscle; intramusculuar fat; skeletal muscle fibrosis

(This special issue belongs to the Section Molecular Biology)

Recent Advances in Brain Tumor Research and Treatment

edited by

Daniele Armocida

and

Davide Barbagallo

submission deadline 31 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 145 | Submission Open

Keywords: brain tumor; gliomas; brain metastases; translational research; molecular biology

(This special issue belongs to the Section Molecular Oncology)

Unraveling Cell–Cell and Cell–Matrix Interactions: Novel Morphological and Molecular Insights

edited by

José Freni

submission deadline 31 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 142 | Submission Open

Keywords: DGC; sarcoglycans; cell– cell interactions; cell– matrix interactions; morphological analysis; molecular analysis; molecular pathogenesis; translational studies

(This special issue belongs to the Section Molecular Biology)

Macrophage Metabolic Reprogramming in Inflammation

edited by

Ricardo Sánchez-Rodríguez

and

Roberta Angioni

submission deadline 31 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 140 | Submission Open

Keywords: inflammation; immunometabolism; metabolic rewiring; glycolysis; krebs cycle; glutaminolysis; innate immune response; macrophages

(This special issue belongs to the Section Molecular Immunology)

Breakthroughs in Anti-Cancer Agents Discovery

edited by

Giulia Bononi

submission deadline 31 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 138 | Submission Open

Keywords: medicinal chemistry; drug discovery; cancer; anti-cancer agents; synthesis; bioactive molecules; biological evaluation; computational drug discovery; artificial intelligence

(This special issue belongs to the Section Molecular Oncology)

Structure, Properties, and Applications of Carbon Materials

edited by

Javier Arcibar-Orozco

submission deadline 31 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 137 | Submission Open

Keywords: carbon-based structures; diamonds; carbon quantum dots; carbon composites; graphene; nanotubes

(This special issue belongs to the Section Materials Science)

Nutrition from Cereal Foods: Molecular Perspectives

edited by

Yakindra Timilsena

submission deadline 31 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 137 | Submission Open

Keywords: cereal nutrition; molecular bioavailability; plant proteins; foodomics; grain processing; bioactive compounds; gut microbiome; nutraceuticals; food matrices; sustainable foods

(This special issue belongs to the Section Bioactives and Nutraceuticals)

Molecular Design and Functional Applications of Polysaccharide Composites

edited by

Magdalena Krystyjan

Gohar Khachatryan

and

Karen Khachatryan

submission deadline 31 Jan 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 131 | Submission Open

Keywords: polysaccharide composites; molecular design; functional applications

(This special issue belongs to the Section Materials Science)

3D Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering: Challenges and Breakthroughs

edited by

Akkouch Adil

submission deadline 31 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 130 | Submission Open

Keywords: 3D scaffolds; tissue engineering; biomaterials

(This special issue belongs to the Section Materials Science)

Cardiomyocytes Among Physiology and Pathophysiology: Molecular Insights and Therapeutic Implications

edited by Rosetta Ragusa and

Chiara Caselli

submission deadline 31 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 128 | Submission Open

Keywords: sarcomere; metabolic stress; epigenetic mechanisms; exercise; aging

(This special issue belongs to the Section Molecular Pathology, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics)

Natural Products and Compounds in Anticancer Drug Discovery

edited by

Diana I. Ivanova

submission deadline 31 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 127 | Submission Open

Keywords: antitumor plant compounds; antitumor plant-derived products; cellular pathways for natural drug apoptosis induction; chromatography of antitumor plant metabolites; modern technologies for recovery of plant anticancer substances; nanotechnology based natural anticancer drug products; plant-derived antitumor drug-protein interactions

(This special issue belongs to the Section Molecular Pharmacology)

Pregnancy-Related Complications: Molecular Pathogenesis and Therapeutic Strategies

edited by

Alicia E. Damiano

submission deadline 31 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 126 | Submission Open

Keywords: pregnancy-related complications; placental dysfunction; maternal-fetal communication; extracellular vesicles; translational research; biomarkers

(This special issue belongs to the Section Molecular Pathology, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics)

Molecular Mechanisms of the Aging Process: 2nd Edition

edited by

Giuseppe Coppotelli

and

Jaime M. Ross

submission deadline 31 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 124 | Submission Open

Keywords: aging process; molecular mechanisms; epigenetic clock; cancer; metabolic disease

(This special issue belongs to the Section Molecular Biology)

New Advances in Functional Nanomaterials, Nanomedicines and Biosensors Based on Nucleic Acids

edited by

Yuancong Xu

and Peng Cao

submission deadline 31 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 123 | Submission Open

Keywords: nucleic acids; functional nanomaterials; nanomedicine; biosensors; DNA nanotechnology; delivery systems; self-assembly; biomedical imaging; clinical applications; diagnostics

(This special issue belongs to the Section Molecular Nanoscience)

Regulation of the Intestinal Barrier and the Brain-Gut Microbiota Axis: Role of Age, Gender, and Sex

edited by

Elzbieta M. Sajdel-Sulkowska

submission deadline 31 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 122 | Submission Open

Keywords: age; brain– gut microbiota axis; intestinal barrier; fetal; gender; sex

(This special issue belongs to the Section Molecular Biology)

Recent Advances in Molecular Imaging and Therapy

edited by

Xuyi Yue

submission deadline 31 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 121 | Submission Open

Keywords: molecular imaging; therapy; clinical translation; precision medicine; radiotheranostics

(This special issue belongs to the Section Molecular Pathology, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics)

Health-Promoting Benefits of Natural Products and Functional Foods, 2nd Edition

edited by

Emad Al-Dujaili

submission deadline 31 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 121 | Submission Open

Keywords: natural products; functional foods; health promotion; nutrigenomics; evidence-based preventive healthcare; phytochemicals; biomarkers; chronic diseases

(This special issue belongs to the Section Bioactives and Nutraceuticals)

Recent Advances in Medicinal Plants and Natural Products: Second Edition

edited by

Teresa Leszczyńska

Barbara Borczak

and

Joanna Kapusta-Duch

submission deadline 31 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 121 | Submission Open

Keywords: medicinal plants; natural products; phytochemistry; bioactive substances; medicinal properties

(This special issue belongs to the Section Bioactives and Nutraceuticals)

Nanomedicine for Cancer Diagnosis and Therapy

edited by

Suresh Thangudu

submission deadline 31 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 120 | Submission Open

Keywords: nanomaterials; multifunctional properties; anticancer nanotechnology; image guided nano platforms; in vivo evaluation; delivery approaches; immune-nanomedicine

(This special issue belongs to the Section Molecular Nanoscience)

From Synapse to Substance Use: Endocannabinoids and Cannabinoid Receptors in Brain Plasticity and Addiction Circuits

edited by Balapal S. Basavarajappa

submission deadline 31 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 117 | Submission Open

Keywords: anandamide; cannabis; alcohol; drug abuse; plasticity; neurotransmitters; cell-types; reward system

(This special issue belongs to the Section Molecular Neurobiology)

Recent Advances in Supramolecular Structure

edited by Massoud Kaykhaii

submission deadline 31 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 117 | Submission Open

Keywords: supramolecular chemistry; molecular self-assembly; host– guest interactions; molecular recognition; non-covalent interactions; dynamic supramolecular systems; stimulus-responsive materials; nanostructures; supramolecular therapeutics; structural characterization

(This special issue belongs to the Section Materials Science)

Advances in Peripheral Nerve Regeneration—2nd Edition

edited by

Cinzia Fabrizi

submission deadline 31 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 117 | Submission Open

Keywords: peripheral nerve regeneration; schwann cells; axonal regrowth; nerve regrowth

(This special issue belongs to the Section Molecular Neurobiology)

Molecular Mechanisms and Combinatorial Strategies in Anti-Obesity Therapeutics

edited by

James Ernest Blevins

and

Pawel K. Olszewski

submission deadline 31 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 117 | Submission Open

Keywords: obesity; high-fat diet; rodents; pharmacotherapy; body weight; food intake

(This special issue belongs to the Section Molecular Pathology, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics)

Plant-Based Early Therapeutics for Parasitic Infections Combined with Functional Modern Diagnosis Methods

edited by

Lee Tian Chang

submission deadline 31 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 117 | Submission Open

Keywords: active phytocompounds; antiparasitic agents; artificial intelligence; early diagnosis early treatment; life cycle; medicinal plants; parasite and vector; phytogenic feed additives; vision recognition

(This special issue belongs to the Section Molecular Plant Sciences)

Molecular Advances in the Pathophysiology and Therapy of Cerebral Gliomas

edited by

Placido Bruzzaniti

submission deadline 31 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 116 | Submission Open

Keywords: mutant IDH1 3; EVs; Ki67; HSV1-TK; glioma; lipid vesicles; viral vectors; ATRX; EGFR; IDH1; MGMT; 1p/19q codeletion

(This special issue belongs to the Section Molecular Pathology, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics)

The Medicinal Value of Plant Extracts

edited by

Myrna Déciga-Campos

and

Rosa Ventura-Martínez

submission deadline 31 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 114 | Submission Open

Keywords: medicinal plant; essential oil; cancer; diabetes; pain; inflammation; neurodegenerative diseases; metabolites; bioactive compounds; toxicity; safety; mutagenicity; genotoxicity; biological evaluations; efficacy; molecular

(This special issue belongs to the Section Molecular Pharmacology)

Molecular Insights and Therapeutic Advances in Cerebral and Spinal Tumors

edited by

Alexandru Vladimir Ciurea

submission deadline 31 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 114 | Submission Open

Keywords: central nervous system tumors; molecular oncology; gliomas and spinal cord neoplasms; targeted therapy and precision medicine; neuro-oncology biomarkers; tumor microenvironment; immunotherapy; translational neuroscience

(This special issue belongs to the Section Molecular Neurobiology)

New Insights into Natural Products with Antimicrobial Activities

edited by Jose Javier Sanz Gomez

submission deadline 31 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 113 | Submission Open

Keywords: bioactive compounds; biotechnological substances; essential oils; plant extracts; mechanism of action; interactions; biofilms; active packaging; technological processes; safety

(This special issue belongs to the Section Bioactives and Nutraceuticals)

Current Research on Structure and Functions of Ribosomal Proteins

edited by

Youri Timsit

submission deadline 31 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 112 | Submission Open

Keywords: protein synthesis; translation; translocation; dynamics; folding; network; assembly; evolution

(This special issue belongs to the Section Molecular Biology)

Advanced Strategies in Bacterial Antibiotic Resistance

edited by Xuemei Yang

submission deadline 31 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 111 | Submission Open

Keywords: antibiotic resistance; resistance mechanisms; antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs); antibiotic tolerance; heteroresistance; horizontal gene transfer (HGT); compensatory evolution

(This special issue belongs to the Section Molecular Microbiology)

Breaking Barriers in Drug Discovery: Novel Methodologies and Mechanisms of Action

edited by Likun Gong,

Qiuping Qin

and Jing Chen

submission deadline 31 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 110 | Submission Open

Keywords: new approach methodologies (NAMs); in silico; in vitro; in vivo; in chemico; drug discovery; computational modeling; artificial intelligence (AI); high-throughput screening (HTS); high-throughput imaging (HTI); bioassay; omics; cell cultures; tissue engineering; organ engineering; therapeutic target; mechanism of drug action

(This special issue belongs to the Section Molecular Pharmacology)

Engineered Mesenchymal Stromal/Stem Cells: Increasing Targeting Precision in Cancer Therapy

edited by

Urban Švajger

submission deadline 31 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 110 | Submission Open

Keywords: engineered mesenchymal stromal stem cells; targeted cancer therapy; tumor microenvironment; cell-based drug delivery

(This special issue belongs to the Section Molecular Pathology, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics)

Systems Approaches to Diabetic Complications

edited by

Paola Pontrelli

submission deadline 31 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 110 | Submission Open

Keywords: diabetes; diabetic complications; molecular mechanisms; precision medicine

(This special issue belongs to the Section Molecular Biology)

Molecular Mechanisms Related to Exercise

edited by Giorgia Scarfò

submission deadline 31 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 109 | Submission Open

Keywords: exercise; mitochondrial biogenesis; intracellular pathways; inflammation; oxidative stress; hypertrophy; metabolism angiogenesis

(This special issue belongs to the Section Molecular Biology)

Molecular Insight into Retinal Diseases: 2nd Edition

edited by Hsiaoming Chao, Robert Casson and Hsi-Kung Kuo

submission deadline 31 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 108 | Submission Open

Keywords: faricimab; modified cerebrolysin; stem cells; gene therapy; retinal chip; femtosecond; artisan aphakia; artiflex; exozyme; silicon oil; amniotic membrane; EOG; multifocal ERG; flash ERG; VEP; microperimetry; OCT-A

(This special issue belongs to the Section Molecular Pathology, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics)

Emerging Technologies in Musculoskeletal Research: From Molecular Mechanisms to Translational Innovation

edited by

Javad Tavakoli

submission deadline 31 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 108 | Submission Open

Keywords: musculoskeletal tissue; cell mechanobiology; biofabrication; tissue regeneration; organ-on-a-chip; disease mechanism and screening; molecular and cellular diagnostics; AI and machine learning; omics technology; wearable technologies; implant technologies; biomarkers; predictive modelling

(This special issue belongs to the Section Molecular Pathology, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics)

From Biology to Biomechanics: Molecular Advances in Orthodontic Remodeling and Acceleration

edited by

Marcin Derwich

and

Alessandra Lucchese

submission deadline 31 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 107 | Submission Open

Keywords: orthodontic tooth movement; bone remodeling; root resorption; molecular mechanisms; inflammatory response; corticotomy-assisted orthodontics; biomechanics; periodontal ligament; cellular signaling; accelerated orthodontic treatment

(This special issue belongs to the Section Molecular Pathology, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics)

Molecular Advances in Retinal Degeneration

edited by Sayan Ghosh

submission deadline 31 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 107 | Submission Open

Keywords: retinal degeneration; photoreceptors; retinal pigmented epithellium (RPE) cells; retinal ganglion cells; glial cells; inflammation

(This special issue belongs to the Section Molecular Pathology, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics)

Host–Oral Bacterial Interaction in Periodontal Pathogenesis

edited by Felice Roberto Grassi

submission deadline 31 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 107 | Submission Open

Keywords: periodontitis; oral microbiome; host– pathogen interaction; inflammation; dysbiosis; immune response

(This special issue belongs to the Section Molecular Pathology, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics)

The Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Central Nervous System Injury

edited by

Laurent R. Gauthier

and

José R. Pineda

submission deadline 31 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 107 | Submission Open

Keywords: central nervous system damage; CNS; oxidative stress; DNA damage responses; neuroregeneration; blood– brain barrier disruption

(This special issue belongs to the Section Molecular Neurobiology)

Stress-Related Disorders and Depression: From Molecular Basis to Therapy (3rd Edition)

edited by

Irena Nalepa

and

Agnieszka Zelek-Molik

submission deadline 31 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 106 | Submission Open

Keywords: psychobiology of stress; depression; posttraumatic stress disorder; anxiety disorders; animal models; biogenic monoamines; glucocorticoids; inflammation; antidepressant and anxiolytic drugs

(This special issue belongs to the Section Molecular Neurobiology)

The Latest Molecular Insights into Animal Nutrition

edited by

Bin Feng

submission deadline 31 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 104 | Submission Open

Keywords: reproduction; animal production; development; immunity; emissions; digestion efficiency; microbiome; metabolism; molecular signaling; nutritional strategies

(This special issue belongs to the Section Bioactives and Nutraceuticals)

Tau Pathology Mechanisms and Therapeutic Interventions

edited by

Claudia Marino

submission deadline 31 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 103 | Submission Open

Keywords: tau; misfolding; neurodegeneration; Alzheimer’ s disease; oligomer; tauopathies; therapies; hyperphorphorylation; frontotemporal lobe dementia; synapses; spreading

(This special issue belongs to the Section Molecular Pathology, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics)

Challenges and Future Perspectives in Treatment for Lung Cancer: 2nd Edition

edited by Ilaria Marrocco and

Donatella Romaniello

submission deadline 31 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 103 | Submission Open

Keywords: lung cancer; non-small cell lung cancer; small cell lung cancer; chemotherapy; targeted therapy; immunotherapy; drug resistance; drug delivery

(This special issue belongs to the Section Molecular Oncology)

Emerging Strategies in Tuberculosis Drug Discovery

edited by

Parvesh Singh

submission deadline 31 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 102 | Submission Open

Keywords: anti-tuberculosis agents; MDR-TB; XDR-TB; drug repurposing; hybrid drugs; high-throughput screening; structure-based drug design; drug discovery

(This special issue belongs to the Section Molecular Pharmacology)

MicroRNAs as Biomarkers in Chronic Diseases

edited by

Xiao Wang

submission deadline 31 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 102 | Submission Open

Keywords: microRNA; biomarker; chronic diseases; cancer; cardiovascular diseases; psychiatric conditions

(This special issue belongs to the Section Molecular Pathology, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics)

Molecular Advances in Cardiac Repairs and Regeneration

edited by William C.W. Chen

submission deadline 31 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 102 | Submission Open

Keywords: cardiac regeneration; cardioprotection; molecular cardiology; regenerative signaling pathways; metabolic reprogramming; protein quality control; post‑translational modifications; single‑cell and spatial omics; multi-omics; CRISPR‑based genome and epigenome editing; high‑resolution molecular imaging; synthetic and systems biology; artificial intelligence and machine learning

(This special issue belongs to the Section Molecular Pathology, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics)

New Progress in Peptide Drugs

edited by