Special Issues

Life 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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Feature Papers in Synthetic Biology and Systems Biology 2025
edited by
submission deadline 27 Feb 2026 | 2 articles | Viewed by 3193 | Submission Open
Keywords: design and construction of synthetic biological systems; innovations in the creation of synthetic organisms; genetic circuits; and biomolecular devices; bottom-up synthetic biology; cell-free synthetic biology; tissue engineering and organoids; bioorthogonal parts; devices; systems; microcompartmentalized systems with soft or hard interfaces; theoretical considerations about synthetic biology; synthetic biology intersection with systems chemistry and bioorganic chemistry; computational modeling and simulation of biological processes; advances in computational tools and models that enhance our understanding of biological processes and systems; metabolic engineering and synthetic pathways; development of novel approaches for the production of biofuels; pharmaceuticals; and other valuable compounds; synthetic biology for approaching evolutionary problems; artificial evolution and in vitro evolution; optogenetics and related techniques; gene editing technologies; applications; and developments; education in synthetic and systems biology; cutting-edge techniques and applications of CRISPR and other gene editing tools; systems biology approaches to understanding complex biological networks; mathematical aspects of systems biology approaches; artificial photosynthesis; applications of synthetic biology in medicine; agriculture; and industry; practical applications of synthetic and systems biology in various sectors; including healthcare; agriculture; and industrial biotechnology; ethical; legal; and social implications of synthetic and systems biology; exploration of the broader implications of advancements in synthetic and systems biology; including ethical considerations and regulatory challenges and social implications
(This special issue belongs to the Section Synthetic Biology and Systems Biology)
Advances in Plant Biotechnology and Molecular Breeding
edited by Serik Eliby, Nikolai Borisjuk and
submission deadline 27 Feb 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 1175 | Submission Open
Keywords: doubled haploidy; genetic engineering; genome editing; genomics; marker-assisted selection; molecular breeding; molecular markers; plant biotechnology
(This special issue belongs to the Section Plant Science)
Structure, Activity, and Function of Protein Methyltransferases: 2nd Edition submission deadline 27 Feb 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 1128 | Submission Open
(This special issue belongs to the Section Proteins and Proteomics)
Advances in Vascular Medicine: From Endovascular Innovations to Pathophysiological Insights
edited by
submission deadline 27 Feb 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 668 | Submission Open
Keywords: endovascular therapy; vascular pathophysiology; intravascular imaging; atherosclerosis; precision vascular medicine
(This special issue belongs to the Section Medical Research)
What Is Life?—2nd Edition
edited by and André Brack
submission deadline 27 Feb 2026 | Viewed by 330 | Submission Open
Keywords: definition of life; origins of life; artificial intelligence; alphafold; synthetic biology; theoretical biology; quantum biology; water; time; and space; membrane systems; electrostatic potential; DNA; RNA; epigenetics; mutations; molecular interactions; chirality; artificial intelligence and life processes; early evolution of life; coevolution
Innovative Applications of Extracellular Vesicles: From Diagnostics to Drug Delivery submission deadline 28 Feb 2026 | 4 articles | Viewed by 12524 | Submission Open
Keywords: extracellular vesicles; exosomes; cancer; cardiovascular diseases; neurodegenerative diseases; biomarkers; diagnostics; cell-cell communication; drug delivery; therapeutics
(This special issue belongs to the Section Physiology and Pathology)
Recent Insights in the Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, Prognosis and Treatment of Glomerular Disorders
edited by Adrian Constantin Covic and
submission deadline 28 Feb 2026 | 8 articles | Viewed by 11705 | Submission Open
Keywords: glomerular disorders; pathology; kidney biopsy; immunology; immunosuppresion; vasculitis
(This special issue belongs to the Section Medical Research)
Clinical Manifestations and Treatment of Autoimmune Diseases: 2nd Edition submission deadline 28 Feb 2026 | 5 articles | Viewed by 7762 | Submission Open
Keywords: autoimmunity; immunobiology; vaccine; leucocytes; immune system
(This special issue belongs to the Section Medical Research)
Atherosclerosis: Pathogenesis, Clinical Advances and Future Perspectives submission deadline 28 Feb 2026 | 2 articles | Viewed by 4253 | Submission Open
Keywords: atherosclerosis; cardiovascular risk; hypercholesterolemia; hypertension; inflammation; cardiovascular prevention
(This special issue belongs to the Section Medical Research)
Advances in Veterinary Infectious Diseases: Pathogenesis, Diagnostics, and Control Strategies
edited by
submission deadline 28 Feb 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 1964 | Submission Open
Keywords: veterinary infectious diseases; zoonoses; animal health; pathogen transmission; vaccine development; immunology; antiviral strategies; emerging pathogens; diagnostic tools; public health
(This special issue belongs to the Section Animal Science)
Advances in Novel Biomarkers and Emerging Immune/Targeted Therapies in Solid Tumors
edited by and Liang Lu
submission deadline 28 Feb 2026 | 2 articles | Viewed by 1935 | Submission Open
Keywords: solid tumor; biomarker; molecular targets; tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs); immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs); oncogenic driver mutation; acquired resistance; precision oncology; cancer; next-generation sequence
(This special issue belongs to the Section Medical Research)
Regulation of Cellular Signaling Pathways in the Metabolic Syndrome
edited by Robert H. Newman and Danielle L. Schmitt
submission deadline 28 Feb 2026 | 2 articles | Viewed by 1776 | Submission Open
Keywords: metabolic syndrome (MetS); cellular signaling pathways; insulin signaling and resistance; nutrient-sensing pathways; inflammation and immune signaling
(This special issue belongs to the Section Physiology and Pathology)
Decoding Hematologic Malignancies by Clinical Cytometry: From Diagnosis to Precision Medicine
edited by Yijie Liu and Huanbin Zhao
submission deadline 28 Feb 2026 | Viewed by 172 | Submission Open
Keywords: hematologic malignancies; diagnostic advancements; minimal/measurable residual disease (MRD) monitoring; emerging technologies; translational applications
(This special issue belongs to the Section Medical Research)
Structural Biology: Mechanisms, Technologies, and Insights
edited by , and Hoa Nguyen
submission deadline 28 Feb 2026 | Viewed by 145 | Submission Open
Keywords: protein structure; allosteric regulation; protein dynamics; structure-guided therapeutics; structural methodology
(This special issue belongs to the Section Biochemistry, Biophysics and Computational Biology)
New Updates in Adipocytes and Adipose Tissue—3rd Edition submission deadline 28 Feb 2026 | Viewed by 109 | Submission Open
Keywords: adipose tissue; obesity; inflammation; thermogenesis; adipokines; insulin resistance
(This special issue belongs to the Section Physiology and Pathology)
Neuromodulation and Motor Skill Enhancement: Prospective Applications
edited by and Davin R. Greenwell
submission deadline 28 Feb 2026 | Viewed by 101 | Submission Open
Keywords: non-invasive brain stimulation; tDCS; tACS; neuroplasticity; motor skill learning
(This special issue belongs to the Section Physiology and Pathology)
Exploring New Approaches to Disease Treatment with Attenuated Salmonella
edited by
submission deadline 28 Feb 2026 | Viewed by 76 | Submission Open
Keywords: attenuated salmonella; vaccine development; bacterial therapy; cancer immunotherapy; targeted drug delivery
(This special issue belongs to the Section Microbiology)
Germline Susceptibility and Somatic Genetic Alterations in Carcinogenesis
edited by and
submission deadline 28 Feb 2026 | Viewed by 73 | Submission Open
Keywords: gene mutation; genetic susceptibility; cancer genetics; genome-wide association study; multi-omics; next generation sequencing
(This special issue belongs to the Section Physiology and Pathology)
Osteoarthritis: New Insights into Mechanisms, Diagnosis, Therapy and Management
edited by Tommaso Greco and
submission deadline 1 Mar 2026 | Viewed by 181 | Submission Open
Keywords: osteoarthritis; joint degeneration; artificial intelligence; 3D printing; augmented reality; arthroplasty; joint replacement; disease-modifying therapies
(This special issue belongs to the Section Medical Research)
The Brain-Boosting Power of Exercise: Improving Cerebrovascular and Cognitive Health
edited by and
submission deadline 2 Mar 2026 | Viewed by 83 | Submission Open
Keywords: exercise; training; cerebrovascular; cognition; aerobic; resistance; multimodal
(This special issue belongs to the Section Physiology and Pathology)
Immune Reset and Renal Recovery: Novel Insights into Kidney Inflammation and Repair
edited by Mohanraj Sadasivam
submission deadline 13 Mar 2026 | Viewed by 80 | Submission Open
Keywords: renal immunopathology; immune reset; CAR-T-cell therapy; B-cell depletion; mRNA therapies; autoimmune kidney disease; lupus nephritis; T-cell tolerance; kidney inflammation; renal regeneration
(This special issue belongs to the Section Medical Research)
Advances in 5-Aminolevulinic Acid Applications in Medical and Healthcare
edited by Motowo Nakajima, Walter Stummer and Shun-ichiro Ogura
submission deadline 15 Mar 2026 | 5 articles | Viewed by 7807 | Submission Open
Keywords: 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA); heme; protoporphyrin IX; photodynamic diagnosis; fluorescence guided surgery; photodynamic therapy; cancer metastasis; reactive oxygen species (ROS); oxide radical; heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1); NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2); anti-inflammation; mitochondrial disease; diabetes; infectious disease; malaria; COVID-19
(This special issue belongs to the Section Pharmaceutical Science)
Evolutionary and Conservation Genetics: 3rd Edition
edited by and Ilenia Azzena
submission deadline 15 Mar 2026 | 4 articles | Viewed by 7723 | Submission Open
Keywords: evolutionary genetics; population genetics; conservation genetics; phylogeography; phylogenetics; phylodynamics; molecular taxonomy
(This special issue belongs to the Section Evolutionary Biology)
Organ Predilection of Certain Gastrointestinal Diseases—Pathophysiology, Diagnosis and Management
edited by
submission deadline 15 Mar 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 1908 | Submission Open
Keywords: disease predilection in gastrointestinal tract; esophagus with certain diseases; stomach with certain diseases; duodenum with certain diseases; jejunum with certain diseases; ileum with certain diseases; colorectum with certain diseases
(This special issue belongs to the Section Physiology and Pathology)
2nd Edition—Food Microbiological Contamination submission deadline 16 Mar 2026 | Viewed by 270 | Submission Open
Keywords: food safety; food microbiology; foodborne pathogens; food spoilage; food quality; food contamination; microbiological hazards; natural antimicrobials
(This special issue belongs to the Section Microbiology)
Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillation and Acute Stroke: Prevention and Management
edited by Luca Masotti
submission deadline 18 Mar 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 891 | Submission Open
Keywords: atrial fibrillation; acute ischemic stroke; intracerebral hemorrhage; direct oral anticoagulants; vitamin K antagonists; reversal therapy; tenecteplase; alteplase; intravenous thrombolysis; mechanical thrombectomy; left atrial appendage occlusion; embolic stroke of undetermined source; ECG monitoring
(This special issue belongs to the Section Medical Research)
Advances in Substance Abuse and Addiction—2nd Edition
edited by , and Chieh-Liang Huang
submission deadline 18 Mar 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 346 | Submission Open
Keywords: addiction medicine; opioid pharmacology; substance abuse; addictive disorder intervention
(This special issue belongs to the Section Pharmaceutical Science)
New Insights Into Artificial Intelligence in Medical Imaging
edited by , , and Salvatore Lavalle
submission deadline 20 Mar 2026 | 3 articles | Viewed by 11423 | Submission Open
Keywords: artificial intelligence; machine learning; deep learning; image analysis; precision medicine; image-guided interventions; decision support systems
(This special issue belongs to the Section Radiobiology and Nuclear Medicine)
Current Research on Dermatology: Pathology, Clinical Manifestation, Investigation and Therapy—Third Edition submission deadline 20 Mar 2026 | 3 articles | Viewed by 6569 | Submission Open
Keywords: Demodex; endosymbionts; cutaneous microbiome; integrative medicine; optical coherence tomography; dermoscopy; confocal microscopy; cutaneous comorbidities keyword; inflammatory diseases; hair; skin cancer; comorbidities; skin surgery
(This special issue belongs to the Section Physiology and Pathology)
Towards Resilient Seas: Marine Biodiversity and Ecological Functioning in a Changing Ocean
edited by and Dorka Cobián-Rojas
submission deadline 20 Mar 2026 | Viewed by 445 | Submission Open
Keywords: marine conservation; ecosystem-based management; biodiversity; climate change adaptation; restoration process; ecological connectivity
(This special issue belongs to the Section Diversity and Ecology)
Cereal Production Systems: Climate-Fertilizer-Crop Yield Dynamics submission deadline 20 Mar 2026 | Viewed by 101 | Submission Open
Keywords: cereals; climate; preceding crop; fertilization; grain yield; grain quality; straw yield; soil health; soil chemistry and biology; yield stability; mineral fertilizers; organic manures; tillage
(This special issue belongs to the Section Plant Science)
Bioactive Chemical Constituents of Ornamental Plants
edited by
submission deadline 20 Mar 2026 | Viewed by 63 | Submission Open
Keywords: ornamental plants; extraction technologies; structure elucidation; chemical synthesis and biosynthesis; biological investigations
(This special issue belongs to the Section Plant Science)
Green Medicine: Unraveling the Medicinal Effects of Plant Extracts and Functional Foods submission deadline 24 Mar 2026 | 14 articles | Viewed by 36444 | Submission Open
Keywords: plant extracts; phytochemicals; inflammation; obesity; liver disease; oxidative stress; antioxidants; diabetes; skin damage; aging
(This special issue belongs to the Section Pharmaceutical Science)
Novel Therapeutics for Musculoskeletal Disorders
edited by and Giulia Letizia Mauro
submission deadline 26 Mar 2026 | 5 articles | Viewed by 3355 | Submission Open
Keywords: osteoarthritis; osteoporosis; bone; arthropathy; joint; pain; lower back pain
(This special issue belongs to the Section Medical Research)
Therapeutic Innovations from Plants and Their Bioactive Extracts
edited by and Annamária Pallag
submission deadline 26 Mar 2026 | 3 articles | Viewed by 1979 | Submission Open
Keywords: herbals; plant extracts; phytochemicals; polyphenols; anthocyanins; natural compounds isolation; herbal extract characterization; bioactive extracts preparation; oxidative stress; apoptosis; inflammation; dermatitis; psoriasis; diabetes mellitus; neurodegenerative disorders; CNS diseases; new target molecules; animal models; clinical studies
(This special issue belongs to the Section Pharmaceutical Science)
Postbiotics—Bioactive Microbial Compounds as Health-Promoting Agents submission deadline 27 Mar 2026 | 4 articles | Viewed by 6728 | Submission Open
Keywords: gut microbiota; postbiotics; prebiotics; microbiota-derived metabolites; postbiotic supplementation; postbiotics and health benefits; dysbiosis
(This special issue belongs to the Section Microbiology)
Extremophiles Breakthrough: Hot Topics and Current Issues in Their Isolation, Identification and Biotechnological Applications—2nd Edition
edited by , and Emanuela Maresca
submission deadline 27 Mar 2026 | Viewed by 115 | Submission Open
Keywords: astrobiology; biochemistry and molecular biology; biodiversity and ecology; biotechnology; extraterrestrial analogs; extreme environments; extremophiles; genetics; genomics; and proteomics; origin of life; phylogeny and evolution; physiology and metabolism
(This special issue belongs to the Section Microbiology)
From Stem Cells to Embryos, Congenital Anomalies and Epidemiology
edited by , Soultana Meditskou and
submission deadline 30 Mar 2026 | 9 articles | Viewed by 32461 | Submission Open
Keywords: stem cell research; human embryonic development; birth defects epidemiology; birth defects prevalence; maternal and fetal medicine; congenital anomalies prevention; ultrasound evaluation; pre-birth assessment; prenatal screening; healthcare
(This special issue belongs to the Section Epidemiology)
Innovative Perspectives in Physical Therapy and Health submission deadline 30 Mar 2026 | 8 articles | Viewed by 23594 | Submission Open
Keywords: physical therapy; health; pain management; musculoskeletal disorders; ultrasonography; rehabilitation; innovative therapies
(This special issue belongs to the Section Medical Research)
Critical Issues in Intensive Care Medicine
edited by
submission deadline 30 Mar 2026 | 10 articles | Viewed by 16280 | Submission Open
Keywords: critical issues; intensive care; co-morbidities in ICUs; new technology issues in ICUs; hospital-acquired infections; end of life
(This special issue belongs to the Section Medical Research)
Advances in the Treatment of Pulmonary Hypertension and Pulmonary Embolism submission deadline 30 Mar 2026 | 5 articles | Viewed by 12046 | Submission Open
Keywords: pulmonary hypertension; pulmonary embolism; therapy; cardiac imaging; artificial intelligence
(This special issue belongs to the Section Medical Research)
Current Progress in Medical Image Segmentation
edited by
submission deadline 30 Mar 2026 | 6 articles | Viewed by 10973 | Submission Open
Keywords: medical image segmentation; deep learning; generative models; algorithm; clinical integration; biological variability; transformer architectures; interactive segmentation; interdisciplinary collaboration
(This special issue belongs to the Section Radiobiology and Nuclear Medicine)
Eye Diseases: Diagnosis and Treatment, 3rd Edition
edited by and Laura De Diego-García
submission deadline 30 Mar 2026 | 5 articles | Viewed by 8452 | Submission Open
Keywords: ocular treatment; ocular diseases; retina; anterior eye; posterior eye; ocular biomarkers
(This special issue belongs to the Section Medical Research)
Applications of EEG in Neural Rehabilitation: 2nd Edition submission deadline 30 Mar 2026 | 2 articles | Viewed by 8367 | Submission Open
Keywords: neurorehabilitation; neuroplasticity; EEG; ERPs; qEEG; EEG mediated patient-therapist interaction; BCI; exoskeleton; cognitive rehabilitation; brain rewiring
(This special issue belongs to the Section Radiobiology and Nuclear Medicine)
Physiological Responses of Plants Under Abiotic Stresses
edited by
submission deadline 30 Mar 2026 | 5 articles | Viewed by 8119 | Submission Open
Keywords: crops; woody plants; horticultural plants; physiological responses; abiotic stresses; photosynthesis
(This special issue belongs to the Section Plant Science)
From Physiology and Pathology Research to Clinical Insights in Gastrointestinal Disorders
edited by , and Ana Lascu
submission deadline 30 Mar 2026 | 3 articles | Viewed by 7436 | Submission Open
Keywords: cellular signaling; inflammation; oxidative stress; cellular death and proliferation; motility; digestion and absorption; vascular patterns; gut microbiota
(This special issue belongs to the Section Physiology and Pathology)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Clinical, Epidemiological, and Molecular Bases
edited by
submission deadline 30 Mar 2026 | 2 articles | Viewed by 4064 | Submission Open
Keywords: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; COPD; emphysema; chronic bronchitis
(This special issue belongs to the Section Medical Research)
Gut Microbes Associating with the Host
edited by and
submission deadline 30 Mar 2026 | 2 articles | Viewed by 4022 | Submission Open
Keywords: gut microbes; microbiome; animals; nutrition
(This special issue belongs to the Section Microbiology)
Encephalitis: From Molecular Pathophysiology to Therapy
edited by Anna Tröscher and Judith Wagner
submission deadline 30 Mar 2026 | 3 articles | Viewed by 3129 | Submission Open
Keywords: infectious encephalitis; autoimmune encephalitis; neuroinflammation; pathophysiology; diagnostics; therapy
(This special issue belongs to the Section Physiology and Pathology)
Precision Medicine in Cardiovascular Diseases
edited by Brian Xiangzhi Wang
submission deadline 30 Mar 2026 | 2 articles | Viewed by 3042 | Submission Open
Keywords: genomic; cardiovascular disease; congenital; multi-omics studies; precision medicine; personalized medicine; biomarker
(This special issue belongs to the Section Genetics and Genomics)
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