Translational Neuro-Oncology: Molecular Insights, Bioinformatics, and Technological Innovations

Dear Colleagues,

The field of translational neuro-oncology is undergoing a profound transformation, driven by significant advances in molecular profiling, multi-omics technologies, artificial intelligence, and precision neurosurgery. High-throughput sequencing, single-cell and spatial transcriptomics, radiogenomics, and machine learning are reshaping our understanding of brain tumor biology and revealing unprecedented opportunities for personalized diagnosis, prognostication, and treatment planning. This marks the beginning of a new era in neuro-oncology—one in which molecular insights, computational intelligence, and surgical innovation converge to redefine clinical care for patients with central nervous system (CNS) tumors.

Despite these remarkable developments, a critical challenge remains to be addressed: the integration of rapidly expanding molecular and computational discoveries into routine neurosurgical and clinical practice remains slow and uneven. While research generates increasingly detailed biological knowledge, standardized pathways to translate these insights into clinical decision-making, surgical strategies, therapeutic choices, and improved patient outcomes are still lacking. This translational bottleneck limits the real-world impact of scientific progress and underscores the need for stronger interdisciplinary bridges between basic scientists, bioinformaticians, clinicians, and neurosurgeons.

To address this gap, this Special Issue will highlight innovative approaches that accelerate the translation of molecular and technological advances into neuro-oncological practice. It welcomes contributions across the full spectrum of research, including original studies, analytical pipelines, clinical evidence, technological solutions, and comprehensive reviews that can shape future directions in the field.

The scope of this Special Issue includes, but is not limited to, the following themes:

• Multi-omics and molecular mechanisms driving CNS tumor biology;
• Biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment responses;
• AI, machine learning, radiomics, and radiogenomics for clinical decision support;
• Bioinformatics pipelines, databases, and computational tools for neuro-oncology;
• Technological innovations in neurosurgery (imaging, robotics, augmented reality, intraoperative tools);
• Experimental models, clinical trials, and emerging therapies (gene therapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy);
• Systematic and narrative reviews on advances and challenges in translational neuro-oncology;
• Research proposals, conceptual papers, and perspective articles bridging basic science and clinical translation.

By bringing together contributions from molecular biology, neurobiology, oncology, bioinformatics, biomedical engineering, and neurosurgery, this Special Issue will enable the translation of scientific breakthroughs into meaningful clinical outcomes and set the stage for the next generation of patient-centered neuro-oncological care.

Dr. Felix Mircea Brehar
Guest Editor

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• translational neuro-oncology
• central nervous system tumors
• molecular and cellular mechanisms
• multi-omics and biomarkers
• bioinformatics and systems biology
• artificial intelligence in medicine
• radiomics and radiogenomics
• precision neurosurgery
• experimental and clinical research
• therapeutic innovation in neuro-oncology