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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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Mechanistic Insights into Pharmacological and Non-Pharmacological Pain Therapies: From Cellular Responses to Therapy Outcomes

edited by

Sungtae Koo

submission deadline 20 Mar 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 1311 | Submission Open

Keywords: neuromodulation; neural plasticity; glial activation; endogenous pain modulation; neuroinflammation; therapeutic mechanisms

(This special issue belongs to the Section Molecular Pharmacology)

Gene Function, Molecular Mechanisms, and Crop Breeding

edited by Hongwei Lu

submission deadline 20 Mar 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 1303 | Submission Open

Keywords: molecular biology; gene function; molecular mechanism; crop breeding; molecular biology; agronomic traits; gene discovery; genomics; bioinfomatics; gene regulation

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

Molecular Metabolism in Human Health and Disease

edited by

Abdelnaby Khalyfa

submission deadline 20 Mar 2026 | 2 articles | Viewed by 1222 | Submission Open

Keywords: molecular metabolism; metabolic pathways; insulin resistance; Warburg effect; chronic disease; metabolomics; precision medicine; metabolic dysfunction; cancer metabolism; personalized nutrition; enzyme-targeted therapy; systems biology; cellular energy; metabolic health; preventative healthcare

(This special issue belongs to the Section Molecular Endocrinology and Metabolism)

Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Molecular Insights—2nd Edition

edited by

Belal Chami

submission deadline 20 Mar 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 1219 | Submission Open

Keywords: genomic sequencing; microbiome; dysbiosis; commensal flora; omics; immunobiology; colitis; Crohn’ s disease; ulcerative colitis; multiomics

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

Focus on the Tryptophan Pathway

edited by

Burkhard Poeggeler

submission deadline 20 Mar 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 1213 | Submission Open

Keywords: aging; indole-3-propionic acid; kynurenic acid; melatonin; serotonin; tryptophan

(This special issue belongs to the Section Molecular Biology)

Metabolic Regulators of Bone Health

edited by

Akkouch Adil

submission deadline 20 Mar 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 1202 | Submission Open

Keywords: bone; osteoporosis; diabetes; obesity; glucose; insulin; lipids; estrogen; microRNA; osteoblasts

(This special issue belongs to the Section Molecular Endocrinology and Metabolism)

Vitamin D Signaling in Human Health and Diseases

edited by

Daniela Rovito

submission deadline 20 Mar 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 1126 | Submission Open

Keywords: vitamin D receptor; vitamin D; prevention; therapeutic potential; mineral homeostasis

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

Molecular Research on Microbial Natural Products

edited by Wenli Li

submission deadline 20 Mar 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 1122 | Submission Open

Keywords: microbial natural products; biosynthetic gene clusters; structural elucidation; metabolic engineering; synthetic biology; bioactivity profiling; sustainable biomanufacturing

(This special issue belongs to the Section Molecular Microbiology)

Biological Barriers: Consciousness and Mental Illness

edited by

Adonis Sfera

submission deadline 20 Mar 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 1115 | Submission Open

Keywords: cell membranes; transport protein regulation; blood– brain barrier; epithelial barriers; gut barrier; respiratory barriers; blood– saliva barrier; biological barriers and pathological changes; protection of biological barriers in diseases

(This special issue belongs to the Section Molecular Biology)

Bioactive Molecules from Food Waste in Food Packaging Applications

edited by

Jennifer Gubitosa

submission deadline 20 Mar 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 1114 | Submission Open

Keywords: wastes upcycling; waste management; circular economy; green chemistry; bioactive molecules; agri-food wastes and by-products; food packaging; active packaging

(This special issue belongs to the Section Materials Science)

Bioactive Phenolics and Polyphenols 2025

edited by

Davide Barreca

submission deadline 20 Mar 2026 | 2 articles | Viewed by 1112 | Submission Open

Keywords: phenolic metabolism; biological activities; stability to food processing; elicitation; methods of analysis; dietary supplements; nutraceutical ingredients; non-thermal processing; extraction and purification

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

Molecular Studies of Hematologic Malignancies

edited by

Myunggon Ko

submission deadline 20 Mar 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 1107 | Submission Open

Keywords: hematologic malignancies; molecular mechanisms; genetic and epigenetic aberrations; molecular diagnosis; targeted therapy and biomarkers

(This special issue belongs to the Section Molecular Oncology)

Molecular Mechanisms of Various Diseases and Drugs Involved in Vascular Tone Regulation in Cardiovascular Disease

edited by

Ju-Tae Sohn

submission deadline 20 Mar 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 1033 | Submission Open

Keywords: vasoconstriction; vasodilation; calcium; protein kinase C; Rho-kinase; hypertension; nitric oxide

(This special issue belongs to the Section Molecular Biology)

Molecular Research on Plant Breeding

edited by

Hélia Cardoso

, Sandra Correia and

Isaura Castro

submission deadline 20 Mar 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 994 | Submission Open

Keywords: plant breeding; proteomics; metabolomics; epigenomics; gene editing

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

Genetics and Omics in Autoimmune Diseases

edited by

Julian Ramírez-Bello

submission deadline 20 Mar 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 967 | Submission Open

Keywords: autoimmune diseases; genetics; genomics; omics; single-nucleotide variants; copy number variants; variation; susceptibility; mRNAs; microRNAs; long non-coding RNAs; masive sequencing

(This special issue belongs to the Section Molecular Genetics and Genomics)

Molecular Insights into the Obstetrics and Gynecology

edited by

Gaspare Cucinella

submission deadline 20 Mar 2026 | Viewed by 950 | Submission Open

Keywords: ginecology; pelvic disorders; endometrial; cervical and ovarian cancers; covid and pregnancy

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

Genetic and Epigenetic Insights into Extracellular Vesicles

edited by

Dimitrios Vlachakis

and

George P. Chrousos

submission deadline 20 Mar 2026 | Viewed by 935 | Submission Open

Keywords: exosomes; extracellular vesicles; cell– cell communication; endocrinology

(This special issue belongs to the Section Biochemistry)

Oxygen Variations, 3rd Edition

edited by

Gerardo Bosco

Costantino Balestra

and

Simona Mrakic-Sposta

submission deadline 20 Mar 2026 | Viewed by 898 | Submission Open

Keywords: hypoxia; hyperoxia; normoxia; biochemichal response; integrative approach; normo-hypo-hyperbaric; molecular research; gene expression; adaptive reactions; extreme environments

(This special issue belongs to the Section Molecular Biology)

Peptide and Protein Metalation

edited by

Antonello Merlino

Irene Russo Krauss

and

Giarita Ferraro

submission deadline 20 Mar 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 864 | Submission Open

Keywords: metallodrugs; metal ions; metal complexes; metal– protein interaction; metal– peptide interaction

(This special issue belongs to the Section Biochemistry)

Advancements in Novel Drug Delivery Systems for Gene and Drug Delivery

edited by

Rosamaria Pennisi

submission deadline 20 Mar 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 803 | Submission Open

Keywords: drug and gene delivery; novel drug delivery systems; nanoparticle-based delivery systems

(This special issue belongs to the Section Molecular Biology)

Molecular Insights into Transplantation and Machine Perfusion

edited by

Joan Roselló-Catafau

and

Arnau Panisello-Roselló

submission deadline 20 Mar 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 752 | Submission Open

Keywords: transplantation (liver; kidney; and other organs); primary failure; ischemia-reperfusion injury; static graft preservation; HOPE; NMP; cell signaling; glycocalyx; metabolomics; mitochondria; sterile inflammation

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

Exploring Tolerance Mechanisms in Plants Under Stress

edited by

Lujun Yu

submission deadline 20 Mar 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 744 | Submission Open

Keywords: stress; tolerance; gene family; phytohormones; mechanisms

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

Cutting Edge Advances in Antitumor Properties of Natural Products

edited by

Francesca Giordano

and

Maria Luisa Panno

submission deadline 20 Mar 2026 | Viewed by 739 | Submission Open

Keywords: natural product; cancer; cell signaling; cell death and differentiation; oxidative stress

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

Molecular Mechanisms and Drug Treatment in Alzheimer’s Disease

edited by

Roberto Dominici

and Diego Dolcetta

submission deadline 20 Mar 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 734 | Submission Open

Keywords: Alzheimer’ s disease (AD); glia; immune system; neurotoxicity; inflammation; beta-Amyloid (bA); neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs)

(This special issue belongs to the Section Molecular Neurobiology)

Lung Diseases and Lung Transplantations: Molecular Pathogenesis and Advanced Therapies

edited by Christopher Lambers

submission deadline 20 Mar 2026 | Viewed by 676 | Submission Open

Keywords: lung disease; lung transplantation; ECMO; EVLP; LAS; antibody-mediated rejection (AMR); CLAD; RAS/BOS; immunosuppression; pathogenesis; cell-free DNA; IPF therapies; gene therapies; stem cell therapies; immunotherapies

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

The Role of Selenium in Human Health and Disease

edited by

Youcef M. Rustum

submission deadline 20 Mar 2026 | Viewed by 647 | Submission Open

Keywords: selenium; oxidative stress; immune modulation; cancer prevention and therapy

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

Molecular Advances in Brain Plasticity

edited by

Beatrice Uguagliati

submission deadline 20 Mar 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 635 | Submission Open

Keywords: neurophysiology; neurobiology; synapses; synaptic plasticity; microglia; astrocytes; dendritic spines; neurodevelopment; neurodevelopmental disease; learning and memory; neuropharmacology

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

Mechanisms of Protein–Ligand Interactions in Therapies for Lifestyle Diseases and Their Complications

edited by Agnieszka Szkudlarek

submission deadline 20 Mar 2026 | Viewed by 615 | Submission Open

Keywords: chronic diseases and their complications; protein– ligand interactions; protein modifications; therapeutic efficacy; binding affinity; serum proteins; pharmaceutical applications; biomedical research

(This special issue belongs to the Section Molecular Biology)

The Medicinal Mechanism and Application of Biologically Active Compounds in Melanoma

edited by Rosanna Avola and Adriana C. E. Graziano

submission deadline 20 Mar 2026 | Viewed by 592 | Submission Open

Keywords: biologically active compounds; medicinal mechanism; cancer; melanoma; chemoprevention; anticancer effect; immunomodulation; apoptosis

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

Autophagy and Programmed Cell Death in Plants and Algae

edited by

Sławomir Borek

submission deadline 20 Mar 2026 | Viewed by 587 | Submission Open

Keywords: algal autophagy and PCD; autophagy-related (Atg) genes and proteins; biotic and abiotic stresses; caspase-like proteases; crop plant improvement; macro-; micro-; and mega-autophagy; metacaspases; selective autophagy; signaling; vacuolar processing enzymes (VPEs)

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

Functional Materials in Photocatalysis: From Design to Application

edited by

Miguel Díaz-Sánchez

submission deadline 20 Mar 2026 | Viewed by 565 | Submission Open

Keywords: nanostructured materials ; photocatalysis ; catalysis ; green synthesis ; material design ; surface engineering

(This special issue belongs to the Section Materials Science)

Retinoids in Ageing and Age-Related Diseases

edited by

Paul L. Chazot

submission deadline 20 Mar 2026 | Viewed by 564 | Submission Open

Keywords: retinoids; retinoic acid; ageing; age-related diseases

(This special issue belongs to the Section Molecular Biology)

Relationship Between Plant Microbiome and Immunity

edited by

Sergio Molinari

submission deadline 20 Mar 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 562 | Submission Open

Keywords: microbiome; plant immune system; rhizosphere of plant roots; microbe-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs)

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

Advances in Innate Immune Mechanism of Autoimmune Syndrome

edited by Diana Prieto-Peña

submission deadline 20 Mar 2026 | Viewed by 541 | Submission Open

Keywords: innate immunity; autoimmune syndrome; cell subsets; pathogenesis; translational; therapeutic modulation

(This special issue belongs to the Section Molecular Immunology)

Advances in Plant Biotechnology: From Pathogen Diagnostics to Disease Management

edited by

Abdul Kader Jailani Amirudeen

submission deadline 20 Mar 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 508 | Submission Open

Keywords: plant pathogens; diagnostic; isothermal; biosensor; RNAi; CRISPRi; QTL mapping; GWAS; MAS or MABC

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

Molecular Mechanism of VCP/p97 in Health and Diseases

edited by

Isabelle Rouiller

submission deadline 20 Mar 2026 | Viewed by 499 | Submission Open

Keywords: AAA ATPase; VCP/p97/cdc48/TER ATPase; AAA ATPase; protein unfolding; protein degradation; protein quality control; ERAD; mitochondria-associated degradation; lysosome degradation; ribosome-associated degradation; membrane fusion and trafficking; ubiquitin; TDP43; inclusion body myopathy (IBM); paget disease (PD); frontotemporal dementia (FD); MSP1; amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS); charcot-marie-tooth disease 2Y; Parkinson’ s disease; intellectual development disabilities (IDDs); lysosomal diseases; tauopathies

(This special issue belongs to the Section Molecular Biology)

The Impact of Environmental Factors on Male Reproductive Development and Disorders

edited by

Gennaro Lettieri

submission deadline 20 Mar 2026 | Viewed by 458 | Submission Open

Keywords: spermatozoa; DNA; protamine; male reproductive health; pollution; endocrine disruption; heavy metals

(This special issue belongs to the Section Molecular Biology)

Influenza Pathogenesis and Vaccine Development

edited by

Awad Shehata

submission deadline 20 Mar 2026 | Viewed by 455 | Submission Open

Keywords: avian influenza; influenza virus; influenza surveillance; interspecies transmission; immune response; pandemic preparedness; pathogenesis; One Health; universal vaccines; vaccine development; viral adaptation; viral evolution; zoonotic infections

(This special issue belongs to the Section Molecular Microbiology)

The Medicinal Mechanism of Natural Products in Cancer Therapies

edited by

Clement G. Yedjou

submission deadline 20 Mar 2026 | Viewed by 451 | Submission Open

Keywords: natural product; phytochemicals; protein– ligand interaction; mechanism of action; drug discovery; prevention; treatment

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

Recent Progress in Synthesis, Properties, and Applications of Polyoxometalates and Their Nanocrystals

edited by

Xiang Ma

and

Pengtao Ma

submission deadline 20 Mar 2026 | Viewed by 444 | Submission Open

Keywords: polyoxometalates; POMs; metal cluster compound; inorganic chemistry; nanocrystals

(This special issue belongs to the Section Physical Chemistry and Chemical Physics)

Molecular Insights into the Precision Medicine on Neoplastic Diseases: Challenges, Perspectives and Opportunities

edited by

Manuela Montanaro

submission deadline 20 Mar 2026 | Viewed by 432 | Submission Open

Keywords: cancer; molecular biology; precision medicine; targeted therapy

(This special issue belongs to the Section Molecular Oncology)

Genetic Mechanisms of Neurological Disorders

edited by

Patrícia Maciel

and Sara Duarte-Silva

submission deadline 20 Mar 2026 | Viewed by 426 | Submission Open

Keywords: neurodevelopmental disorders; neurodegenerative disorders; neuropsychiatric disorders; genetics; molecular biology; cellular models; animal models; pathogenesis; biomarkers; therapeutic targets; drug discovery; therapy

(This special issue belongs to the Section Molecular Genetics and Genomics)

Exploring Molecular-Scale and Nano-Scale Materials: Design, Characterization and Application

edited by Xiaogang Li

submission deadline 20 Mar 2026 | Viewed by 420 | Submission Open

Keywords: molecular scale; nano scale; material design and preparation; characterization; regulation; application

(This special issue belongs to the Section Molecular Nanoscience)

Microbial Mediators: The Bridge Between Soils, Plants, and Animal Infectious Diseases

edited by Wensheng Fang,

Tilocca Bruno

and Bin Huang

submission deadline 20 Mar 2026 | Viewed by 401 | Submission Open

Keywords: micro-organisms; soil health; plant– microbe interactions; microbial regulation; agricultural ecosystems; animal infectious diseases; microbiome; microbiota

(This special issue belongs to the Section Molecular Microbiology)

Proteases and Their Inhibitors

edited by

Dominique Belin

submission deadline 20 Mar 2026 | Viewed by 392 | Submission Open

Keywords: protease; serine proteases; thiol proteases; acid proteases; metalloproteases; protease inhibitor; SERPINs

(This special issue belongs to the Section Biochemistry)

Roles of Neutrophils in Autoimmune Diseases and Cancers

edited by

Jasmin Knopf

submission deadline 20 Mar 2026 | Viewed by 388 | Submission Open

Keywords: neutrophils; neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs); autoimmunity; autoimmune disease(s); cancer; oncology

(This special issue belongs to the Section Molecular Immunology)

Dietary Polyphenols for Improving Gut Health

edited by Andreia Gomes

submission deadline 20 Mar 2026 | Viewed by 387 | Submission Open

Keywords: microbiota diversity; gut health; polyphenols; polyphenol bioavailability; immune function; inflammation; therapeutic potential of polyphenols; host health

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

New Advances in DNA Nanotechnology

edited by Zhaoqi Yang

submission deadline 20 Mar 2026 | Viewed by 386 | Submission Open

Keywords: DNA nanotechnology; DNA-based drug delivery; DNA cages and DNA polyhedra; DNA origami; DNA-based electronic circuits; DNA-based sensors; DNA-based catalysis; DNA-based data storage

(This special issue belongs to the Section Molecular Nanoscience)

Molecular Pharmacology of Protein Kinase Inhibitor

edited by

Liming Hu

submission deadline 20 Mar 2026 | Viewed by 381 | Submission Open

Keywords: protein kinase inhibitor; molecular pharmacology; signaling pathway; preclinical/clinical evaluation; computational modeling; toxicity

(This special issue belongs to the Section Molecular Pharmacology)

Discovery of Proteins Leading to New Asthma Treatments

edited by