Announcements

30 April 2025
Richard DiMarchi and Rolf Müller Share the 2024 Tu Youyou Award


We are pleased to announce that the 2024 Tu Youyou Award has been conferred upon Richard DiMarchi and Rolf Müller, in recognition of their significant contributions to natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry.

2024 Tu Youyou Award Laureates

Richard DiMarchi
Indiana University, USA
Prof. Richard DiMarchi is a Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Gill Chair in Biomolecular Sciences at Indiana University, USA. He is a member of the National Academy of Medicine and the National Inventors Hall of Fame. Dr. DiMarchi is a former Group Vice President at Eli Lilly and later at Novo Nordisk. He is recognized for his contributions to the discovery and development of rDNA-derived Humulin®, Humalog®, rGlucagon®, and Forteo®. His academic research has broadened the understanding of glucagon and incretin physiology and pioneered the discovery of single-molecule multi-mechanism agonists for the treatment of diabetes and obesity. The central element to success has been the chemical vision and technology to install within single molecules simultaneous agonism at related G-protein coupled receptors, coupled to the counter-intuitive discovery that glucagon and GIP agonism could synergize the therapeutic efficacy of GLP-1. These peptides and their conceptual approach have transformed the management of excessive body weight to a condition comparable to how hypertension, adult-onset diabetes, and excess cholesterol are medicinally managed.
Professor DiMarchi was recognized by the 2024 Tu Youyou Award Committee members as being an exceptional leader in the medicinal chemistry of peptides and proteins of natural origin, and as a pioneer in the field of chemical biotechnology. His very important discoveries have led to breakthroughs in new drugs related to the therapy of diabetes and obesity. He has been named as an inventor on a very large number of patents, and he has had initially a highly successful scientific and administrative career in industry, which was followed by over two decades in academia as a distinguished professor.
—Prof. Dr. A. Douglas Kinghorn, Chair of the Award Committee
   

Rolf Müller
Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Germany;
Helmholtz Centre for Infections Research (HZI), Germany;
Saarland University, Germany
Prof. Rolf Müller is the Founding and Managing Director of the Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS) and Professor of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology at Saarland University, Germany. Having received his training from the University of Bonn, he held research positions at the University of Washington, USA, and Braunschweig University of Technology, Germany, prior to his appointment as professor to Saarland University. His laboratory has dedicated itself to the exploration of bacterial natural-product biosynthetic pathways for more than 20 years and has extensive experience in working with myxobacteria and other microbial producer strains. Starting from the isolation and characterization of new microorganisms, the scope of work includes microbiology-, biotechnology-, bioinformatics-, and chemistry-based approaches to exploit these isolates as sources of new drugs with a special focus on novel anti-infectives. Müller and his team apply a variety of state-of-the-art analytical methods and biological assays to perform biological and chemical characterizations of the identified compounds. Prof. Müller has received several awards, including the prestigious Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize, the PHOENIX Pharmacy Research Award, the DECHEMA Prize, and the Inhoffen Medal, as well as being an elected member of acatech, Leopoldina, and the German Academy of Sciences and Literature.
The 2024 Tu Youyou Award Committee members were highly impressed by the truly outstanding past and ongoing contributions of Professor Müller in both microbial natural products isolation chemistry and in biosynthesis, as well as in the development of lead compounds for their potential in treating human diseases, through his global connections with various major funding agencies. He is also a dedicated teacher who has trained numerous graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, and he has lectured on his research in countries all over the world.
—Prof. Dr. A. Douglas Kinghorn, Chair of the Award Committee

The achievements of Richard DiMarchi and Rolf Müller highlight the transformative impact of natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry. We congratulate them and invite the global academic community and public to join us in celebrating their significant contributions.

2024 Award Committee
Committee Chair:

Committee Members (listed in alphabetical order):

  • Prof. Angelo Fontana, University of Naples “Federico II”, Italy;
  • Prof. Binghe Wang, Georgia State University, USA;
  • Dr. Diana Pinto, University of Aveiro, Portugal;
  • Prof. Hideaki Kakeya, Kyoto University, Japan;
  • Dr. RuAngelie Edrada-Ebel, University of Strathclyde, UK;
  • Prof. Thomas Prisinzano, University of Kentucky, USA
  • Prof. Wei Li, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, USA.

About the Tu Youyou Award:
The 2024 Tu Youyou Award includes a total monetary prize of 100,000 Swiss Francs and a medal for each recipient. Established in 2016 to honor the pioneering spirit of Nobel laureate Tu Youyou, the Tu Youyou Award is an international award honoring exceptional scholars dedicated to the fields of natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry.

For further information about the award and the winners, please visit the Tu Youyou Award website.

16 June 2025
Meet Us at the Animal Behavior Society 2025, 8–12 July 2025, Baltimore, Maryland, USA


MDPI will attend the Animal Behavior Society 2025 as an exhibitor. This meeting will be held in Baltimore, Maryland (USA), from 8 to 12 July 2025. 

The Animal Behavior Society was founded in 1964 to promote the study of animal behavior in the broadest sense, including studies using descriptive and experimental methods under natural and controlled conditions. Current members' research activities span the invertebrates and vertebrates, both in the field and in the laboratory, and include experimental psychology, behavioral ecology, neuroscience, zoology, biology, applied ethology, and human ethology, as well as many other specialized areas. 

The following MDPI journals will be represented:

If you are attending this conference, please feel free to start a conversation with us at our booth. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person and answering any questions you may have. 

For more information about the conference, please visit https://www.animalbehaviorsociety.org/2025/index.php.

9 June 2025
Meet Us at the ESEB 2025 Congress, 17–22 August 2025, Barcelona, Spain


Conference: ESEB 2025 Congress
Organization: European Society for Evolutionary Biology (ESEB)
Date: 17–22 August 2025
Place: The International Convention Centre of Barcelona (CCIB), Barcelona, Spain

MDPI journals will be attending ESEB 2025 as exhibitors. This meeting will be held in Barcelona, Spain, from 17 to 22 August 2025.

ESEB congresses are renowned for being among the largest in the field of evolutionary biology, attracting 1400–1700 participants from around the globe. The ESEB congress will cover empirical, computational, and theoretical work across the broad field of evolutionary biology, including, among other areas, the following ones: molecular evolution, evolutionary genetics and genomics, population genetics and genomics, phylogenetics, comparative genomics, phylogenomics, systematics, paleontology, paleoecology, models and methods in evolution, life histories, evolutionary ecology, evolution and development, micro- and macro-evolution studies, origin and early evolution of life, organismal evolution, origin and evolution of relevant traits and clades, evolutionary medicine, microbial evolution, coevolution, and reticulated evolution.

The following MDPI journals will be represented:

If you will be attending this conference, please feel free to start a conversation with us. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person and answering any questions that you may have. For more information about the conference, please visit the following website: https://eseb2025.com/.

3 June 2025
World Environment Day—“Beat Plastic Pollution”, 5 June 2025


World Environment Day is an urgent call to action as nature suffers from the devastating impacts of human activity. Annual plastic production exceeds 400 million tons, half of which is single-use plastic, with under 10% recycled. 11 million tons of plastic (equal to 2,200 Eiffel Towers) pollute waterways yearly. Microplastics contaminate our food, water, and air, with humans ingesting over 50,000 particles annually. This pollution harms health and ecosystems globally. A solution does exist, however. Governments, businesses, and individuals must adhere to the 5Rs—Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Rethink. Join #BeatPlasticPollution this World Environment Day to create a sustainable future.

On this significant day, we are proud to present a curated collection of articles and initiatives dedicated to groundbreaking research and innovative solutions for protecting the environment and beating plastic pollution. We invite readers to explore these resources and join us in our shared mission of a sustainable vision of the future. Together, we can pave the way for a cleaner, healthier planet.

Environmental & Earth Sciences

Biology & Life Sciences

Chemistry & Materials Science

Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities

Engineering

Enhanced Separation of Palladium from Nuclear Wastewater by the Sulfur-Rich Functionalized Covalent Organic Framework
by Junli Wang, Chen Luo, Wentao Wang, Hui Wang, Yao Liu, Jianwei Li and Taihong Yan
Nanomaterials 2025, 15(10), 714; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15100714

Prevention of Biofouling Due to Water Absorption of Natural Fiber Composites in the Aquatic Environment: A Critical Review
by Cristiano Fragassa, Sara Mattiello, Martina Fronduti, Jo’ Del Gobbo, Radmila Gagic and Carlo Santulli
J. Compos. Sci. 2024, 8(12), 532; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs8120532

Testing the Effectiveness of an Ecomedia Literacy Environmental Education Lesson
by Ludovica Lo Iacono, Ludovica Lo Iacono and Emilio Paolo Visintin
Soc. Sci. 2024, 13(12), 645; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci13120645

Airborne Microplastics: Challenges, Prospects, and Experimental Approaches
by Alexey R. Rednikin, Yulia A. Frank, Artem O. Rozhin, Danil S. Vorobiev and Rawil F. Fakhrullin
Atmosphere 2024, 15(11), 1380; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15111380

Emerging Technologies for Remote Sensing of Floating and Submerged Plastic Litter
by Lonneke Goddijn-Murphy, Victor Martínez-Vicente, Heidi M. Dierssen, Valentina Raimondi, Erio Gandini, Robert Foster and Ved Chirayath
Remote Sens. 2024, 16(10), 1770; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16101770

The Other Side of Fire in a Changing Environment: Evidence from a Mediterranean Country
by Dimitrios Kalfas, Stavros Kalogiannidis, Fotios Chatzitheodoridis and Nikolaos Margaritis
Fire 2024, 7(2), 36; https://doi.org/10.3390/fire7020036

A Review of Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling: Technologies, Sustainability, and Open Issues
by Alessandra Zanoletti, Eleonora Carena, Chiara Ferrara and Elza Bontempi
Batteries 2024, 10(1), 38; https://doi.org/10.3390/batteries10010038

A Comparative Analysis of Different Hydrogen Production Methods and Their Environmental Impact
by Somtochukwu Godfrey Nnabuife, Caleb Kwasi Darko, Precious Chineze Obiako, Boyu Kuang, Xiaoxiao Sun and Karl Jenkins
Clean Technol. 2023, 5(4), 1344-1380; https://doi.org/10.3390/cleantechnol5040067

Screening of Microplastics in Aquaculture Systems (Fish, Mussel, and Water Samples) by FTIR, Scanning Electron Microscopy–Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy and Micro-Raman Spectroscopies
by Kleopatra Miserli, Christos Lykos, Angelos G. Kalampounias and Ioannis Konstantinou
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(17), 9705; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13179705

Microplastics, Additives, and Plasticizers in Freshwater Bivalves: Preliminary Research of Biomonitoring
by Giulia Cesarini, Fabiana Corami, Beatrice Rosso and Massimiliano Scalici
Water 2023, 15(14), 2647; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15142647

Advancements and Applications of Nanomaterials for Removal of Organic Compounds in Aquatic Environment

Guest Editors: Dr. Ramona Riedel and Prof. Dr. Giulio Malucelli

Submission deadline: 20 August 2025

Novel Sources, Designs and After-Use Pathways for Plastics in a Circular Economy

Guest Editor: Dr. María José Arévalo-Caballero

Submission deadline: 31 August 2025

Airborne Micro and Nanoplastics: Detection, Dynamics, and Exposure Assessment

Guest Editor: Dr. Yangyang Liu

Submission deadline: 30 September 2025

Aquatic Microplastic Pollution: Occurrence and Removal

Guest Editor: Dr. Lixin Zhu

Submission deadline: 25 October 2025

Innovative Strategies to Mitigate the Impact of Mining

Topic Editors: Prof. Dr. Chongchong Qi, Dr. Qiusong Chen and Dr. Danial Jahed Armaghani

Submission deadline: 31 October 2025

Enabling Strategies and Policies Toward a Sustainable Environment, 2nd Edition

Topic Editors: Dr. Abdul Majeed, Prof. Dr. Yuantao Xie and Prof. Dr. Judit Oláh

Submission deadline: 31 October 2025

       

3 June 2025
MDPI INSIGHTS: The CEO's Letter #23 - MDPI Summits Spain & Italy, Ei Compendex, and Editorial Independence

Welcome to the MDPI Insights: The CEO's Letter.

In these monthly letters, I will showcase two key aspects of our work at MDPI: our commitment to empowering researchers and our determination to facilitating open scientific exchange.


Opening Thoughts

Highlights from the MDPI Spain Summit in Barcelona (21-22 May)

In May we hosted the MDPI Spain Summit in Barcelona – our second summit in the city following the inaugural one in November 2023.


Stefan Tochev (CEO, MDPI) at the MDPI Spain Summit in Barcelona, 22 May 2025.

Creating a space for exchange of views

The goal of our summits is to bring together Chief Editors of MDPI journals from across disciplines and institutions. These intimate gatherings provide a platform to present the latest developments at MDPI and to initiate open conversations about our journals, the future of open access, and the evolving landscape of scientific publishing.

Most importantly, these are opportunities for in-person connection, providing a more meaningful space for the exchange of views and for building long-term relationships.

Exploring the future of scientific publishing in Spain

The summit took place on 21–22 May and featured a mix of MDPI presentations (including two guest presentations), roundtable discussions, and Q&A sessions. On the first day, we held a focused session with our Chief Editors to gather feedback and have open discussions on their journal development, the peer-review process, and local accreditation systems.


Dr. Giulia Stefenelli (Scientific Communications Lead, MDPI, presents MDPI’s Editorial Process and Peer Review Quality Metrics at the MDPI Spain Summit in Barcelona, 22 May 2025.

I had the pleasure of opening the Summit with a welcome address and an overview of MDPI’s recent milestones. The agenda then included the following sessions:

  • MDPI and Recent Developments in the Spanish Market – Dr. Marta Colomer (Public Affairs Specialist, MDPI)
  • MDPI Editorial Process and Peer Review Quality Metrics – Dr. Giulia Stefenelli (Scientific Communications Lead, MDPI)
  • Open Access in Spain – Dr. Remedios Melero (Researcher, CSIC – guest speaker)
  • AI in Publishing and MDPI's Actions – Dr. Enric Sayas (Business Analyst, MDPI), Daniele Raimondi (Data Scientist, MDPI), and Dr. Alexandre López-Borrull (Researcher, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya – guest speaker)
  • Publication Ethics – Ana Stankovic (Research Integrity and Publication Ethics, MDPI)
  • Opening and Closing remarks were provided by Rocksy Zhang (Editorial Director, MDPI)

We are extremely grateful for the strong engagement shown by our Editors, who were clearly appreciative of the event and the discussions we had. They felt seen and heard, which is a vital prerequisite for building open channels of communication and cultivating productive long-term collaborations.


MDPI colleagues during MDPI Spain Summit in Barcelona (22 May 2025).

A big thank-you to the entire Barcelona team for organizing such a successful event!

Upcoming MDPI Summit events:

  • Italy Summit – Rome (26–27 May)
  • US Summit – Boston, MA (5–6 June)
  • France Summit – Paris (12–13 June)
  • US Summit – Houston, TX (26–27 June)
  • UK Summit – London (16–17 September)
  • Germany Summit – Berlin (18–19 September)
  • Romania Summit – Bucharest (23–24 October)
    ...with more in between, and more to follow.

Impactful Research

50 MDPI Journals Now Indexed in Ei Compendex

Indexing is a key indicator of a journal’s scientific impact. An indexed journal gives research greater visibility and credibility within the global academic community and is recognized for its quality and relevance. While many of our journals are included in major databases such as Web of Science and Scopus, MDPI also places strong emphasis on journal inclusion in subject-specific indexing platforms that align with each journal’s scope. This ensures that when you publish with MDPI, you publish with impact.

I’m pleased to share that as at May 2025, 51 of our journals are now indexed in Ei Compendex, a leading bibliographic database for engineering and applied sciences. This is a major milestone that reflects both the quality or our editorial processes and the relevance of the research we publish in these fields.

“When you publish with MDPI, you publish with impact”

Discoverability and reach

Inclusion in Ei Compendex means greater discoverability for our authors and broader reach of our journals in the fields of engineering and technology. It improves our ability to support global research and innovation, while building MDPI’s reputation in the applied sciences. This recognition is the result of the dedicated work of our editorial teams, reviewers, and authors, and of our overall commitment to excellence in publishing.

You can read our full announcement here.

Appreciative thanks to everyone involved in reaching this milestone.

Inside MDPI

 

One Year of MDPI’s Seoul Office

On 29 April, we marked one year since the opening of our Seoul office, MDPI’s first local hub in South Korea. South Korea is a key market for MDPI, currently ranking as our sixth-largest contributor to the company’s total publications, with over 89,000 MDPI articles authored by individuals affiliated with Korean institutions. Over the past 12 months, the Seoul team has made great strides in building our visibility, networks, and presence in the region.

A few highlights from the past year


Claude Seo (MDPI Korea Office Manager, Seoul)

Claude Seo, who has over 15 years of experience in the academic publishing industry, is the Office Manager of the Seoul office.

In its inaugural year, the Seoul office focused primarily on marketing and promotional activities to support the MDPI brand locally. During that time, the team concentrated on scholar visits to local institutions, attending academic conferences, and hosting editorial board meetings.

The team also secured 10 Institutional Open Access Program (IOAP) renewals, signed three new IOAP agreements, and established one new Society affiliation.

The Seoul office also hosted its first library book fair and reached over 1,000 followers on its LinkedIn channel, which is an encouraging indication of local visibility and engagement.

“The Seoul team has made strides in building our visibility, networks, and presence in the region”

Growth plans

Later this year, we are working on opening a new Seoul office in a more central location, with room for our growing team. The new space will bring us closer to other publishing partners and provide easier access to and from the airport. The Seoul office will continue to expand its efforts in outreach and engagement as its builds its presence in South Korea.

Warm thanks to the entire Seoul team for their hard work and dedication, and to all MDPI colleagues who have contributed to this exciting chapter in our global journey.

Coming Together for Science

Highlights from the MDPI Italy Summit in Rome (26–27 May)

We closed the month of May by hosting the first MDPI Italy Summit in Rome. This was an important event for us, as Italy has consistently ranked among the top ten countries globally for open access publications over the past decade.

MDPI and Italy: Facts & Figures

  • With over 144,000 publications (as at 31 May 2025), Italy is MDPI’s third largest contributor after China and the USA.
  • In 2024, MDPI was the second-largest publishing house in Italy.
  • The 7,165 Editorial Board Members (EBMs) drawn from Italian institutions represent 8.9% of all MDPI academic editors.
  • Among these, 319 serve as Editors-in-Chief (EiCs) or Section Editors-in-Chief (SEiCs).
  • Eleven Italian EBMs were recognized as 2024 Clarivate Highly Cited Researchers.
  • In 2024, MDPI received 24,873 review reports and collaborated with 88,578 reviewers from Italy.
  • 23,131 Guest Editors from Italian institutions led 4,827 Special Issues across 248 MDPI journals.
  • MDPI partners with over 900 institutions globally, of which 17 are in Italy.

The MDPI Italy Summit in Rome


Dr. Prof. Giulio Cerullo, EiC of Applied Sciences, at the MDPI Italy Summit in Rome (27 May 2025).

Held on 26–27 May, the MDPI Italy Summit brought together 25 Chief Editors from across our journal portfolio, including some of our largest journals such as Applied Sciences, to discuss MDPI’s latest developments and collaborations in the Italian market, our use of data intelligence and AI to support strategic decision-making, a look into our editorial process, peer-review quality metrics, and conversations around research integrity and community engagement.

The Summit featured MDPI presentations followed by Q&A and concluded with a roundtable discussion. On the evening of the 26th, we hosted a dinner with our Editors to connect personally, learn more about their research, and hear feedback on journal operations and the broader academic landscape in Italy.


Gathering of Editors-in-Chief and MDPI staff at the MDPI Italy Summit in Rome (27 May 2025).

Event Agenda – 27 May

Moderated by Maddalena Favaretto (Conference Scientific Advisor, MDPI), the program featured:

  • MDPI Overview, Achievements, Latest News and Future Developments – Stefan Tochev (CEO, MDPI)
  • Country Report: Italy – Dr. Laura Perez Martin (Conference Assistant, MDPI)
  • AI in Publishing and MDPI’s Actions – Dr. Andrea Perlato (Head of Data Analytics, MDPI)
  • MDPI Editorial Process and Research Integrity – Dr. Giulia Stefenelli (Scientific Communications Lead, MDPI)
  • Panel Discussion – Stefan, Andrea, Giulia


Panel Discussion with Stefan Tochev (CEO, MDPI), Dr. Giulia Stefenelli (Scientific Communications Lead, MDPI), Dr. Andrea Perlato (Head of Data Analytics, MDPI) during the MDPI Italy Summit in Rome (27 May 2025).

A big thank-you to our Conference team and everyone who worked behind the scenes to make these events run smoothly.

Closing Thoughts

Upholding Editorial Independence in Scholarly Publishing

A recent MDPI blog post written by Dr. Ioana Craciun (Scientific Communications Specialist, MDPI), “Editorial Independence and Publisher Support: Collaborating to Uphold Integrity,” highlights the important balance between editorial autonomy and publisher collaboration in academic publishing.

As the leading fully Open Access scholarly publisher, we are proud to champion editorial independence within our publishing process.

Drawing from the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) guidelines, the article emphasizes that while editors must have the freedom to make decisions based on scholarly merit, publishers play a critical role in providing the necessary infrastructure and tools to support the editorial process. This collaborative approach ensures the integrity of the peer review process, builds trust among authors and readers, and upholds the quality and relevance of published content.

MDPI highlights its commitment to this model by investing in research integrity specialists, AI tools for plagiarism detection, and administrative support, all aimed at empowering editors to make independent, informed decisions.

Stefan Tochev
Chief Executive Officer
MDPI AG

21 May 2025
International Day for Biological Diversity—“Harmony with Nature and Sustainable Development”, 22 May 2025


International Day for Biological Diversity is an annual observance aimed at enhancing awareness and fostering a deeper appreciation of the value of biodiversity, while also drawing attention to the pressing threats it faces on a global scale. This day highlights the pivotal role that biodiversity plays in maintaining planetary health and human well-being, thereby reinforcing the imperative for its conservation. Under the theme “Harmony with Nature and Sustainable Development”, the International Day for Biological Diversity emphasizes the intricate interdependence between all living organisms and their ecosystems.

We hope that established journals in the subjects of Biology & Life Sciences and Environmental & Earth Sciences at MDPI will continue to provide a platform for scientists, researchers, and policymakers to share their findings and insights.

“Biology & Life Sciences”

 

“Environmental & Earth Sciences”

Refining Camera Trap Surveys for Mammal Detection and Diversity Assessment in the Baviaanskloof Catchment, South Africa
by Maya Beukes, Travis Perry, Daniel M. Parker and Nokubonga Mgqatsa
Wild 20252(2), 15; https://doi.org/10.3390/wild2020015

The Endangered and Protected Carabus hungaricus Fabricius, 1792 (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in Bulgaria: Distributional Patterns and Conservation Status
by Teodora M. Teofilova and Nikolay D. Kodzhabashev
Conservation 20255(2), 18; https://doi.org/10.3390/conservation5020018

The Multifunctional Catalytic Hemoglobin from Amphitrite ornata: Protocols on Isolation, Taxonomic Identification, Protein Extraction, Purification, and Characterization
by Anna L. Husted, Victoria R. Sutton, Lauren A. Presnar, R. Kevin Blackburn, Joseph L. Staton, Stephen A. Borgianini and Edward L. D’Antonio
Methods Protoc. 20247(6), 100; https://doi.org/10.3390/mps7060100

Genetic Diversity, Runs of Homozygosity, and Selection Signatures in Native Japanese Chickens: Insights from Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms
by Vanessa V. Velasco, Masaoki Tsudzuki, Norikazu Hashimoto, Naoki Goto and Akira Ishikawa
Animals 202414(22), 3341; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14223341

Exploring Extremotolerant and Extremophilic Microalgae: New Frontiers in Sustainable Biotechnological Applications
by Dorian Rojas-Villalta, David Rojas-Rodríguez, Melany Villanueva-Ilama, Rossy Guillén-Watson, Francinie Murillo-Vega, Olman Gómez-Espinoza and Kattia Núñez-Montero
Biology 202413(9), 712; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13090712

Toward Understanding Research Evolution on Indirect Drivers of Ecosystem Change along the Interface of Protected and Non-Protected Lands
by Trace Gale and Andrea Báez Montenegro
Sustainability 202416(17), 7572; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16177572

Effects of Long-Term Application of Nitrogen Fertilizer on Soil Acidification and Biological Properties in China: A Meta-Analysis
by Liqiang Zhang, Zehang Zhao, Bailing Jiang, Bate Baoyin, Zhengguo Cui, Hongyu Wang, Qiuzhu Li and Jinhu Cui
Microorganisms 202412(8), 1683; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12081683

Systematic Distribution of Bioluminescence in Marine Animals: A Species-Level Inventory
by Julien M. Claes, Steven H. D. Haddock, Constance Coubris and Jérôme Mallefet
Life 202414(4), 432; https://doi.org/10.3390/life14040432

Rambellisea gigliensis and Rambellisea halocynthiae, gen. et spp. nov. (Lulworthiaceae) from the Marine Tunicate Halocynthia papillosa
by Martina Braconcini, Susanna Gorrasi, Massimiliano Fenice, Paolo Barghini and Marcella Pasqualetti
J. Fungi 202410(2), 127; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10020127

The Responses of Cladoceran Communities to the Single and Simultaneous Effects of Environmentally Relevant Increases in Temperature and Phosphorus Concentration in Freshwater Ecosystems
by Małgorzata Adamczuk
Water 202416(2), 249; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16020249

The Lost and Found: Unraveling the Functions of Orphan Genes
by Ali Zeeshan Fakhar, Jinbao Liu, Karolina M. Pajerowska-Mukhtar and M. Shahid Mukhtar
J. Dev. Biol.202311(2), 27; https://doi.org/10.3390/jdb11020027

Monitoring, Restoration and Protection in Wetland Ecosystems
Guest Editor: Dr. Md Khurshid Alam Bhuiyan
Submission deadline: 20 October 2025

Insect Adaptation in the Anthropocene: Responses to Contamination and Human-Induced Environmental Changes
Guest Editor: Dr. Philippe Laval-Gilly
Submission deadline: 31 October 2025

   

Plants and Habitats in Changing World: New Data for Climate Change Interpretation and Sustainable Management
Guest Editors: Dr. Giacomo Mei and Dr. Vedran Šegota
Submission deadline: 10 November 2025

Fungal Diversity in Various Environments, 4th Edition
Guest Editor: Dr. Seung-Yoon Oh
Submission deadline: 30 November 2025

   

Impacts of Climate Change on Terrestrial Carbon Cycling and Biodiversity Across Spatial and Temporal Scales
Guest Editors: Prof. Dr. Nophea Sasaki and Dr. Takuji W. Tsusaka
Submission deadline: 21 December 2025

Salmonid Fishery Management and Its Interactions with Freshwater Ecosystem Functions, Structures, and Services
Guest Editors: Dr. Gianluca Polgar and Dr. Pietro Volta
Submission deadline: 31 December 2025

   

Plant–Soil Interactions Under Global Change
Guest Editor: Dr. Tao Zhang
Submission deadline: 31 January 2026

Plant Species Diversity and Conservation
Guest Editors: Dr. Claudia D. Nicolae, Dr. Maria Mihaela Antofie and Dr. Oliviu Grigore Pop
Submission deadline: 15 February 2026

   

20 May 2025
World Bee Day 2025—“Bee Inspired by Nature to Nourish Us All”, 20 May 2025


World Bee Day, commemorated annually on the 20th of May, was established to raise public awareness of the importance of bees and other pollinators, as well as to promote the coordinated development of sustainable agriculture and ecological protection. This year's theme is “Bee inspired by nature to nourish us all”. As the most critical pollinator in nature, bees directly influence global crop yields and have a profound impact on food security, biodiversity, and economic value chains. The contributions made by bees and other pollinators are closely connected to all of us. However, due to factors such as habitat destruction, the widespread use of pesticides, and climate change, global bee colonies and other pollinators are experiencing a significant decline in population. 

MDPI encourages the use of open academic exchange platforms offered by journals from Biology & Life Sciences subject such as Agriculture,  Animals, Biology, Conservation, Ecologies, Foods, Insects and Life to promote innovation and practical application in the field of pollinator protection. Research published in these journals is freely accessible to the public. We look forward to leveraging scientific knowledge to help safeguard this fragile link that sustains the Earth's life-support network. 

“Climate Change Influences on Central European Insect Fauna over the Last 50 Years: Mediterranean Influx and Non-Native Species
by Attila Haris, Zsolt Józan, Péter Schmidt, Gábor Glemba, Bogdan Tomozii, György Csóka, Anikó Hirka, Peter Šima and Sándor Tóth
Ecologies 2025, 6(1), 16; https://doi.org/10.3390/ecologies6010016 

“Comparative Study of the Effect of Pollen Substitute Diets on Honey Bees during Early Spring
by Hyunjee Kim, Olga Frunze, Abdulkadir Yusif Maigoro, Myeong-Lyeol Lee, Jeong-Hyeon Lee
and Hyung-Wook Kwon
Insects 2024, 15(2), 101; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15020101 

“Decoding the Behavior of a Queenless Colony Using Sound Signals
by Dimitrios Kanelis, Vasilios Liolios, Fotini Papadopoulou, Maria-Anna Rodopoulou, Dimitrios Kampelopoulos, Kostas Siozios and Chrysoula Tananaki
Biology 2023, 12(11), 1392; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology12111392 

“Conservation of Local Honeybees (Apis mellifera L.) in Southeastern Turkey: A Preliminary Study for Morphological Characterization and Determination of Colony Performance”
by Atilla Oztokmak, Gonca Ozmen Ozbakir and Oznur Çaglar
Animals 2023, 13(13), 2194; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13132194 

“Survey Results of Honey Bee Colony Losses in Winter in China (2009–2021)”
by Jiao Tang, Congcong Ji, Wei Shi, Songkun Su, Yunbo Xue, Jinshan Xu, Xiao Chen, Yazhou Zhao and Chao Chen
Insects 2023, 14(6), 554; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14060554 

“Application of a Quality-Specific Environmental Risk Index for the Location of Hives in Areas with Different Pollution Impacts
by Daniel Signorelli, Luigi Jacopo D’Auria, Antonio Di Stasio, Alfonso Gallo, Augusto Siciliano, Mauro Esposito, Alessandra De Felice  and Giuseppe Rofrano
Agriculture 2023, 13(5), 998; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13050998 

“Expression Profile, Regulatory Network, and Putative Role of microRNAs in the Developmental Process of Asian Honey Bee Larval Guts
by Xiaoxue Fan, Wende Zhang, Sijia Guo, Leran Zhu, Yiqiong Zhang, Haodong Zhao, Xuze Gao, Haibin Jiang, Tianze Zhang, Dafu Chen et al.
Insects 2023, 14(5), 469; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14050469 

“Pollen as Bee Medicine: Is Prevention Better than Cure?”
by Maryse Vanderplanck, Lucie Marin, Denis Michez and Antoine Gekière
Biology 2023, 12(4), 497; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology12040497 

Special Issues:

“The Impact of Environmental Factors and Pesticides on Bee Behavior”
Guest Editor: Dr. Agnieszka Murawska
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 September 2025

“Losses, Health and Wellbeing of Honey Bees Across the World”
Guest Editor: Dr. Alison Gray
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2025

“Pollen Production and Nutrient Composition in Two Northern Highbush Blueberry Cultivars: Implications for Pollinator Nutrition”
by Priyadarshini Chakrabarti, Lauren Baugus, Ethan Eaton, Nathalie A. Steinhauer and Ramesh R. Sagili
Agriculture 2025, 15(5), 461; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15050461 

“Further Insights on Honey and Propolis from Gerês (Portugal) and Their Bioactivities: Unraveling the Impact of Beehive Relocation
by Ana Sofia Freitas, Rui Oliveira, and Cristina Almeida-Aguiar
Life 2024, 14(4), 506; https://doi.org/10.3390/life14040506

“Anti-Herpes Simplex Virus and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of the Melittin Peptides Derived from Apis mellifera and Apis florea Venom”
by Pichet Praphawilai, Thida Kaewkod, Sureeporn Suriyaprom, Aussara Panya, Terd Disayathanoowat and Yingmanee Tragoolpua
Insects 2024, 15(2), 109; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15020109 

“Chemical and Functional Characterization of Propolis Collected from Different Areas of South Italy” 
by Aliki Kapazoglou, Maria Gerakari, Efstathia Lazaridi, Konstantina Kleftogianni, Efi Sarri, Eleni Tani and Penelope J. Bebeli
Foods 2023, 12(18), 3481; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12183481 

“Exploring Consumers’ Preferences and Attitudes to Honey: Generation Approach in Slovakia”
by Peter Šedík, Martina Hudecová and Kristína Predanócyová
Foods 2023, 12(10), 1941; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12101941 

“Linking Beekeepers’ and Farmers’ Preferences towards Pollination Services in Greek Kiwi Systems”
by Elie Abou Nader, Georgios Kleftodimos, Leonidas Sotirios Kyrgiakos, Christina Kleisiari, Nicola Gallai, Salem Darwich, Tristan Berchoux, George Vlontzos and Hatem Belhouchette
Animals 2023, 13(5), 806; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13050806 

Special Issues:

Recent Advances and Opportunities of Honey & Bee Products
Guest Editors: Prof. Dr. Olga Escuredo, Prof. Dr. M. Carmen Seijo and Dr. María Shantal Rodríguez-Flores
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 September 2025

“Application of Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence in Precision Beekeeping
Guest Editors: Dr. Tomyslav Sledevič, Prof. Dr. Darius Plonis and Prof. Dr. Artūras Serackis
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 September 2025

13 May 2025
Empowering Academic Growth with MDPI: A Scientific Publishing Exchange at Toronto Metropolitan University, 15 May 2025


MDPI is excited to collaborate with Toronto Metropolitan University to host an engaging Scientific Publishing Workshop aimed at empowering scholars with the knowledge and tools needed to succeed in academic publishing. This workshop will delve into the key aspects of MDPI’s open access publishing framework, offering an in-depth exploration of journal selection, the editorial workflow, and the essentials of publication ethics. Participants will also gain practical advice on improving their scientific writing and effectively addressing reviewer comments, with guidance from an experienced professional. This session promises to equip attendees with valuable skills to elevate their publishing journey.

Workshop Highlights:

  • Learn How to Better Write and Structure a Research Article;
  • How to Choose Where to Publish Academic Work;
  • How to Respond to Reviewer Comments;
  • Reasons for Rejection During Pre-Check;
  • How to Navigate Through Ethics and AI Use.

Date: 15 May 2025
Time: 12:00–1:30 p.m.
Venue: Toronto Metropolitan University

Program:

Speakers

Program and Content

Time

Dr. Stephen Mora

Introduction to MDPI

12:00–12:05 p.m.

 

How to Write and Structure a Research Article

12:05–12:45 p.m.

 

How to Respond to Reviewer Comments

12:45–1:30 p.m.

Dr. Stephen Mora has an M.Sc. and Ph.D. in kinesiology and health science from York University, Canada. He started working at MDPI in May 2024 and is now the Managing Editor of IJOM, a newly transferred society journal published by MDPI. During his graduate studies and MDPI tenure, Stephen has gained extensive experience in attending conferences, meeting with scholars, and hosting online and in-person presentations.

12 May 2025
International Day of Plant Health—“The Importance of Plant Health in One Health”, 12 May 2025


On the International Day of Plant Health, we recognize the vital role that healthy plants play in securing food, sustaining livelihoods, and protecting biodiversity. Plant health is fundamental to global food security, environmental sustainability, and economic development. As the world faces the increasing threat of plant pests and diseases, exacerbated by climate change, global trade, and unsustainable practices, this day serves as a call to action for stronger phytosanitary systems and international collaboration.

Aligned with this year’s theme of “The Importance of Plant Health in One Health”, we invite you to explore selected articles, Special Issues, and journals that span fields such as biology, biosciences, agriculture, and plant science. Healthy plants are the foundation of food security, ecosystems, and global biodiversity. By sharing research that addresses plant pests and diseases, we aim to inspire action and foster collaboration to strengthen plant protection, ultimately supporting a healthier, more sustainable future for all.

Keynote speakers:

Prof. Dr. Horacio Heinzen
University of the Republic, Uruguay

Dr. Azucena González Coloma
Institute of Agricultural Sciences, CSIC, Spain

Prof. Dr. Assunta Bertaccini
Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Italy

Prof. Dr. Hikmet Budak
Arizona Western College, United States

Feel free to register for the webinar here!

Phytochemical Profile, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activity of Two Species of Oak: Quercus sartorii and Quercus rysophylla
by Elizabeth Coyotl-Martinez, Juan Alex Hernández-Rivera, José L. Arturo Parra-Suarez, Sandra Raquel Reyes-Carmona and Alan Carrasco-Carballo
Appl. Biosci. 2025, 4(1), 13; https://doi.org/10.3390/applbiosci4010013

Flavonoids as Insecticides in Crop Protection—A Review of Current Research and Future Prospects
by Verónica Pereira, Onofre Figueira and Paula C. Castilho
Plants 2024, 13(6), 776; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13060776

The Function of Root Exudates in the Root Colonization by Beneficial Soil Rhizobacteria
by Lin Chen and Yunpeng Liu
Biology 2024, 13(2), 95; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13020095

A New Gonolobus Species (Apocynaceae, Asclepiadoideae) from Sinaloa, Mexico
by Leonardo O. Alvarado-Cárdenas, Juan F. Pío-León, Gilberto Morillo and Carla Sofía Islas-Hernández
Taxonomy 2024, 4(1), 1-9; https://doi.org/10.3390/taxonomy4010001

Zamia magnifica (Zamiaceae, Cycadales): A New Rupicolous Cycad Species from Sierra Norte, Oaxaca, Mexico
by Miguel Angel Pérez-Farrera, José Said Gutiérrez-Ortega, Mauricio Gerónimo Martínez-Martínez and Michael Calonje
Taxonomy 2023, 3(2), 232-249; https://doi.org/10.3390/taxonomy3020017

Manipulation of the Cellular Membrane-Cytoskeleton Network for RNA Virus Replication and Movement in Plants
by Rongrong He, Yinzi Li, Mark A. Bernards and Aiming Wang
Viruses 2023, 15(3), 744; https://doi.org/10.3390/v15030744

Tissue Culture—A Sustainable Approach to Explore Plant Stresses
by Akila Wijerathna-Yapa and Jayeni Hiti-Bandaralage
Life 2023, 13(3), 780; https://doi.org/10.3390/life13030780

Geometric Morphometric Versus Genomic Patterns in a Large Polyploid Plant Species Complex
by Ladislav Hodač, Kevin Karbstein, Salvatore Tomasello, Jana Wäldchen, John Paul Bradican and Elvira Hörandl
Biology 2023, 12(3), 418; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology12030418

Identification and Characterization of Neofusicoccum stellenboschiana in Branch and Twig Dieback-Affected Olive Trees in Italy and Comparative Pathogenicity with N. mediterraneum
by Giuliano Manetti, Angela Brunetti, Valentina Lumia, Lorenzo Sciarroni, Paolo Marangi, Nicola Cristella, Francesco Faggioli, Massimo Reverberi, Marco Scortichini and Massimo Pilotti
J. Fungi 2023, 9(3), 292; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9030292

Plants as Biofactories for Therapeutic Proteins and Antiviral Compounds to Combat COVID-19
by Corbin England, Jonathan TrejoMartinez, Paula PerezSanchez, Uddhab Karki and Jianfeng Xu
Life 2023, 13(3), 617; https://doi.org/10.3390/life13030617

Epichloë Endophytes Shape the Foliar Endophytic Fungal Microbiome and Alter the Auxin and Salicylic Acid Phytohormone Levels in Two Meadow Fescue Cultivars
by Suni Anie Matthew, Marjo Helander, Kari Saikkonen, Radomira Vankova, Petre I. Dobrev, Serdar Dirihan and Benjamin Fuchs
J. Fungi 2023, 9(1), 90; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9010090

Molecular Basis of Seed Germination and Dormancy
Guest Editors: Dr. Yifeng Wang, Prof. Dr. Jiezheng Ying, Dr. Xiaohong Tong and Dr. Yu Cheng
Submission deadline: 31 August 2025

Diversity and Taxonomy of Scarabaeoidea
Guest Editor: Dr. Frank-Thorsten Krell
Submission deadline: 31 October 2025

The Silent Players of Forest Ecosystems: Viruses, Viroids, and Beyond
Guest Editor: Dr. Leticia Botella Sánchez
Submission deadline: 31 December 2025

Plant–Insect Interactions—3rd Edition
Guest Editor: Dr. Francisco Rubén Badenes-Pérez
Submission deadline: 31 December 2025

“Plant Physiology: From Omic Analysis toward Physiological Mechanism Research”

Edited by Jie Luo and Sen Meng

June 2024 | 160 pages

ISBN 978-3-7258-1438-1 (Hardback)

ISBN 978-3-7258-1437-4 (PDF)

https://doi.org/10.3390/books978-3-7258-1437-4

30 April 2025
MDPI INSIGHTS: The CEO's Letter #22 - 300 Journals in WoS, Norway & Sweden Consortiums, Self-citations

Welcome to the MDPI Insights: The CEO's Letter.

In these monthly letters, I will showcase two key aspects of our work at MDPI: our commitment to empowering researchers and our determination to facilitating open scientific exchange.


Opening Thoughts

Over 300 MDPI Journals are Indexed in Web of Science

Indexing is essential to scholarly publishing as it promotes visibility and the impact of research. I’m excited to share that MDPI now has over 300 journals indexed in the Web of Science (WoS). This milestone reflects the work of our authors, editors, reviewers, and the entire MDPI staff, contributing to greater visibility and impact for open access research.

Publish with MDPI, publish with impact.

Having over 300 MDPI journals indexed in the Web of Science is more than a numbers game. It represents a recognition of the quality, consistency, and relevance of the research published in our journals. For the academic community, it reflects the growing trust in MDPI as a reputable publisher, leading the way in open access publishing.

A closer look at the achievement

Being indexed in the WoS nvolves meeting a list of quality criteria, including 24 quality benchmarks for ESCI journals. 

For MDPI, rigorous editorial standards and scientific integrity are key. These enabled over 300 journals to pass the Web of Science quality criteria for indexing.

Here we share a blog post discussing the importance of this milestone for MDPI and open scholarly research. In this post, Constanze Schelhorn, Head of Indexing, at MDPI, and Giulia Stefenelli, Scientific Communications Lead, share their thoughts and insights on what this achievement means for our commitment to high-quality research.

“MDPI has a well-structured quality assurance framework that applies to all our journals. We also apply clear, standardized peer-review policies across our portfolio, ensuring transparency and consistency.” – Constanze Schelhorn, Head of Indexing

“This achievement is a step forward for Open Access research, reinforcing the mission to share scientific knowledge globally and facilitate research progress.” – Giulia Stefenelli, Scientific Communications Lead

Read the blog here: https://blog.mdpi.com/2025/04/03/300-mdpi-journals/

Looking to the future

This milestone is a testament to MDPI’s dedication to peer review, editorial excellence, and innovation in academic publishing. It highlights our role as leaders in open access publishing.

Personally, I see this as just the beginning. We will continue to support researchers, expand our contributions to scholarly communication, and push the boundaries of academic publishing.

Impactful Research

Nearly 920 partner institutions in MDPI’s Institutional Open Access Program

I’m pleased to share some exciting progress from MDPI's Institutional Open Access Program (IOAP), which now includes nearly 920 partner institutions worldwide. This is more than just a number. It reflects the growing trust and collaboration we’ve built with universities, libraries, and research organizations across the globe. 

The IOAP offers institutions discounted Article Processing Charges (APCs), access to a dedicated institutional dashboard, and transparency throughout the publishing process.

Norway’s Sikt Consortium Renews national agreement with MDPI

MDPI has renewed its national agreement with the Sikt Consortium, which now supports 36 institutions across Norway. New partners, such as Kristiania University of Applied Sciences, join long-standing collaborators such as NTNU, the University of Bergen, and UiT, The Arctic University of Norway. The agreement promotes affordable, high-quality open access publishing through centralized APC funding, and reinforces Norway’s leadership in open science.

These agreements reflect MDPI’s mission to remove barriers to scientific publishing and make research freely available to all. By collaborating with national consortia and institutions, we advance the open access and strengthen our global network and collaborations.

Our IOAP Team

A big thank-you to our IOAP team for driving these important collaborations. Their work includes increasing MDPI’s visibility in scholarly communications, strengthening relationships with IOAP partners, and building trust with key stakeholders.

These efforts not only help researchers to publish their work openly and affordably but also reinforce MDPI’s position as a trusted leader in open access.

What are the benefits of MDPI’s IOAP?

For Authors: Researchers affiliated with IOAP partner institutions benefit from automatic discounts on APCs, Book Processing Charges (BPCs), JAMS, and Author Services across MDPI’s journals. The process is seamless as there is no need for codes or special applications. The publishing experience is smoother and more affordable, and centralized invoicing helps simplify the process, allowing authors to focus on their research rather than administration.

For Libraries: Participating libraries receive access to a dedicated institutional dashboard with live metadata on submissions from affiliated authors, past and present. They also benefit from flexible invoicing options (direct, collective, or prepayment) to help streamline administration, while clear, transparent agreements ensure that there are no hidden clauses or small print. Automated deposits into Institutional Repositories further reduce manual work, supporting libraries in their mission to advance open access and serve their research communities.

Inside MDPI

MDPI Self-citation study shows industry alignment

Earlier this month, Dr. Giulia Stefenelli and Dr. Enric Sayas published a thoughtful and transparent article on the ALPSP blog, presenting a self-citation analysis across MDPI’s 237 journals indexed in the Journal Citation Reports (JCR).

They found that MDPI's average self-citation rate in 2024 was 14.85%, well within industry norms and ranking 6th among the top ten publishers. Only 2.3% of MDPI journals were identified as outliers with high self-citation rates, compared to 4.7% among other leading publishers. An alternative approach, using weighted average by publication volume, shows MDPI’s self-citation rate rises from 14% to 19.7%, shifting our rank from 6th to 3rd. The study also shows that the impact of self-citation on journal quartile placement is minimal.

Read the full article on the ALPSP blog: https://blog.alpsp.org/2025/03/mdpi-self-citations-study-highlights.html

Why is this important?

As explained in the full article, the results “reinforce the fact that self-citations have minimal influence on MDPI journal rankings, emphasizing the integrity of editorial practices and the absence of any deliberate efforts to manipulate impact.”

Self-citation is a hot topic, and MDPI is sometimes unfairly singled out in this area. This analysis helps put some perspective to that narrative.

At MDPI, we are committed to transparency and to using data-driven insights to address common misconceptions about open access publishing. Our focus on self-citation reflects this commitment, and we plan to extend our efforts to other areas where the Gold OA model is often misunderstood.

About the authors

Dr. Giulia Stefenelli, Scientific Communications Lead, leverages her expertise in science communication, editorial processes, and Open Access (OA) promotion to address both institutional and country-specific challenges. She collaborates with teams across PR, Editorial Procedures, Institutional Partnerships, Research Integrity, AI and more, developing strategies to engage stakeholders, including policymakers, academics, and industry leaders. Her responsibilities include enhancing MDPI’s scientific network and promoting OA initiatives at events worldwide, supporting the efforts of various departments, and ensuring effective communication to both specialist and broader audiences.

Dr. Enric Sayas is a Business Analyst specializing in the integration of AI and Machine Learning in scientific publishing.

Within MDPI’s AI team, Enric combines his editorial expertise with his passion for AI to support the development of AI-driven solutions tailored to editorial needs, enhancing efficiency and improving decision-making.

Enric’s interests extend to data science methodologies applied to scientific publishing, as well as the broader impact of AI on open science, peer review, and the future of scientific publishing.

Coming Together for Science

 

Plants 2025: From Seeds to Food Security


Prof. Dr. Dilantha Fernando presenting at Plants 2025 in Barcelona, Spain.

The MDPI Conference Plants 2025: From Seeds to Food Security took place in Barcelona, Spain, from 31 March to 2 April 2025.

It was chaired by Editor-in-Chief of MDPI journal Plants (Q1 journal); Prof. Dr. Dilantha Fernando from the University of Manitoba, in Canada, and Section Editor-in-Chief of Plants; Dr. Fermín Morales from Instituto de Agrobiotecnología (IdAB) – CSIC, in Spain; and Prof. Dr. Oscar Vicente from Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) in Spain.

The conference brought plant scientists together to discuss innovations in sustainable agriculture, crop improvement, and environmental conservation.

With the global population projected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050, the conference addressed key challenges such as food security, climate change, and sustainable agroecosystems through keynote talks and seven specialized sessions.

The conference gathered 111 attendees from 36 different countries, featuring 1 keynote speaker, 9 invited speakers, and 41 selected talks, along with 56 posters. The event received just over 200 submissions and 102 accepted abstracts.

From insightful talks, engaging poster sessions and engaging networking moments, Plants 2025 was a special experience. You can relive the highlights from the Plants 2025 conference here with our after movie!


Awards

Four awards were presented at the conclusion of the conference, sponsored by the journal Plants: two Best Poster Awards (€250 each) and two Best Oral Presentation Awards (€300 each).

Plants 2025 Conference Team

The Plants 2025 Conference was organized by colleagues from MDPI’s Conference Team: Ana Sanchis (Conference Manager), Cédric Spinnler (Senior Conference Organizer), Raquel Sellès (Conference Organizer) and Laura Perez (Conference Assistant).

Upcoming event

5–7 May 2025
The 2nd International Electronic Conference on Metals
Location: Online event (Central European Summer Time)

As one of the pillar technologies that support the development of modern society and metallurgy, IECME 2025 will present the state-of-the-art of Metallurgy and Metals.

Find more upcoming MDPI events here.

Closing Thoughts

Swedish consortium renews partnership with MDPI

I’m pleased to share that MDPI has renewed its national partnership with Sweden’s Bibsam Consortium. This is a continued commitment to advancing open access publishing and supporting Sweden’s vision for fully open research.

Under this renewed agreement, 22 leading institutions including KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm University, Linnaeus University, and Linköping University, will continue to benefit from MDPI’s IOAP. This provides discounts on APCs and a more streamlined, researcher-friendly publishing experience.

MDPI and Bibsam renew national agreement for Sweden

“With robust backing from national open science guidelines, Sweden’s open-access landscape is rapidly advancing,” says Becky Castellon, institutional partnerships manager at MDPI.

“In fact, fewer than 15% of all Swedish research outputs were locked behind paywalls in 2023. We are passionate about the positive impact our ongoing partnership with the Bibsam Consortium will have on Swedish research, paving the way for ground-breaking developments and a more inclusive, open scientific community. Through flexible solutions and tailored policies, we enable institutions to prioritize research, foster innovation, and enhance accessibility, driving the shift to full open access.”

Recent MDPI IOAP Consortium signings from 2025:

  • The UK’s Jisc Consortium extended its national agreement, continuing support for more than 60 institutions across the UK.
  • Switzerland’s CSAL (Consortium of Swiss Academic Libraries) renewed its agreement, continuing our collaboration with top institutions such as ETH Zurich and EPFL Lausanne.
  • In Germany, we signed a new national agreement with ZB MED that includes over 100 universities and research institutions, with 78 institutions joining under a central or flat-fee model to simplify APC coverage.
Stefan Tochev
Chief Executive Officer
MDPI AG

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