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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Microbial Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing submission deadline 31 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 124 | Submission Open
Keywords: synthetic biology tools; microbial biomanufacturing; future foods; bulk chemicals; plant natural products
(This special issue belongs to the Section Synthetic Biology and Systems Biology)
The Role of Mitochondrial Function in Cancer and Diseases and Therapeutic Explorations
edited by and
submission deadline 31 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 123 | Submission Open
Keywords: cancer metabolism; mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations; oxidative stress; mitophagy and autophagy; mitochondria-targeted therapy; metabolic reprograming; mitochondrial dynamics (fusion and fission); redox biology
(This special issue belongs to the Section Physiology and Pathology)
Advances in Imaging for Female Patients: Breast and Gynecological Diagnostics
edited by Silvia Gigli, Emanuele David and Giacomo Bonito
submission deadline 31 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 122 | Submission Open
Keywords: breast cancer; breast screening; gynecological cancer; mammography; CEM; ultrasound; MRI; PET/TC; radiomics; artificial intelligence
(This special issue belongs to the Section Medical Research)
Brain Health for All Ages: Leave No One Behind
edited by and Dilani Wijeratne
submission deadline 31 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 112 | Submission Open
Keywords: brain health; neurology; neurological syndromes
(This special issue belongs to the Section Medical Research)
Chemical Evolutionary Pathways to Origins of Life
edited by and Christian Seitz
submission deadline 31 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 105 | Submission Open
Keywords: origin of life; metabolism-first; early Earth; iron– sulfur world; chemical evolution  ; cellularization; surface catalysis; pioneer organism
(This special issue belongs to the Section Origin of Life)
Current Updates on Equidae Breeding and Genetics submission deadline 31 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 85 | Submission Open
Keywords: complex trait; selection; animal welfare; genomic inbreeding; horse; donkey; mule
(This special issue belongs to the Section Animal Science)
Transformative Technologies in Liver Transplantation submission deadline 31 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 83 | Submission Open
Keywords: liver; transplant; liver surgery; machine perfusion; radiomics; nanotechnology; 3D printing; gene editing
Cancer Genetics and Genomics: From Structure to Therapy
edited by Luca Járomi and Gellért Gerencsér
submission deadline 31 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 78 | Submission Open
Keywords: epigenetics; cancer therapy; multidrug resistance (MDR); accumulation; biomarkers
(This special issue belongs to the Section Genetics and Genomics)
The Biological Impacts of Fetal Alcohol Exposure
edited by Kelly J. Huffman
submission deadline 31 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 67 | Submission Open
Keywords: fetal alcohol spectrum disorders; fetal alcohol syndrome; brain development; behavioral development; prenatal exposure
(This special issue belongs to the Section Reproductive and Developmental Biology)
Advanced Machine Learning for Bio-Signal Processing and Health Monitoring
edited by
submission deadline 31 Jan 2026 | Viewed by 62 | Submission Open
Keywords: brain– computer interface (BCI); electroencephalogram (EEG); machine learning; biomedical signal processing; brain computer interface; health monitoring
(This special issue belongs to the Section Medical Research)
Mechanisms and Ecology of Migration and Homing
edited by Hynek Burda
submission deadline 1 Feb 2026 | Viewed by 72 | Submission Open
Keywords: migration; homing; navigation; spatial orientation; magnetoreception; cognitive maps; seasonality; spatial memory
(This special issue belongs to the Section Diversity and Ecology)
Advances in Endoscopic, Surgical, and Interventional Radiological Management of Gastrointestinal Diseases
edited by
submission deadline 6 Feb 2026 | 3 articles | Viewed by 6435 | Submission Open
Keywords: gastrointestinal disease; endoscopic cystogastrostomy; endoscopic biliary prosthesis; endoscopic pancreatic prosthesis; endoscopic necrosectomy; esophagectomy; gastrectomy; bowel resection; colectomy; pancreatectomy; hepatectomy; liver transplantation; gastroenterology; surgery; interventional radiology
(This special issue belongs to the Section Medical Research)
Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Honeybees: Second Edition
edited by
submission deadline 9 Feb 2026 | 2 articles | Viewed by 3556 | Submission Open
Keywords: phenomics; genetics; genomics; functional genomics; metabolomics; functional genes identification; genetics editing; genome selection; genetic evaluation; hybrid breeding; egg-laying; honey production; queen breeding; varroa resistance
(This special issue belongs to the Section Animal Science)
Regulation of Cerebrovascular Resistance in Health and Disease: From Molecules to Humans
edited by
submission deadline 13 Feb 2026 | 4 articles | Viewed by 2438 | Submission Open
Keywords: cerebral blood flow; hemodynamic forces; cerebrovascular resistance; endothelium; smooth muscle; arachidonic acid metabolites; reactive oxygen species; molecular mediators; protein and mRNA expressions; brain disease conditions; transcranial Doppler measurement; EEG; lifestyle
(This special issue belongs to the Section Physiology and Pathology)
Pain Epidemiology
edited by
submission deadline 14 Feb 2026 | Viewed by 117 | Submission Open
Keywords: pain epidemiology; chronic pain; neuropathic pain; nociplastic pain; headache; migraine; orofacial pain; low back pain
(This special issue belongs to the Section Epidemiology)
Prebiotic Chemistry: The Molecular Origins of Life
edited by
submission deadline 15 Feb 2026 | Viewed by 169 | Submission Open
Keywords: astrobiology; astrochemistry; biochemistry; computational modelling; geochemistry; metabolic pathways; lipid formation; peptide synthesis; photochemistry; radiation chemistry; RNA world; self-assembly; systems chemistry
(This special issue belongs to the Section Origin of Life)
Microbiome Dynamics: Advancing Therapeutic Development in Health and Disease
edited by , Sukyung Kim and
submission deadline 16 Feb 2026 | Viewed by 118 | Submission Open
Keywords: next-generation probiotics (NGPs); microbiome-based therapeutics; metagenomics and multi-omics integration; microbial biomarkers; short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs); artificial human microbiome simulators; GMP-scale production; clinical translation
(This special issue belongs to the Section Microbiology)
Omics Approaches in Antipsychotic Pharmacology
edited by
submission deadline 18 Feb 2026 | Viewed by 54 | Submission Open
Keywords: antipsychotics; genomics; epigenomics; transcriptomics; lipidomics; metabolomics; proteomics; human; animal
(This special issue belongs to the Section Pharmaceutical Science)
Current Challenges in Human Space Flight submission deadline 20 Feb 2026 | 4 articles | Viewed by 12511 | Submission Open
Keywords: cognition; microgravity; sleep; stress; Martian and lunar dust; neural stem cells and progenitors
(This special issue belongs to the Section Astrobiology)
Musculoskeletal Function and Exercise Physiology: Integrative Approaches and Emerging Insights
edited by , , and Luke Chowning
submission deadline 20 Feb 2026 | Viewed by 102 | Submission Open
Keywords: resistance exercise; aerobic exercise; neuromuscular; kinematics; kinetics; biomechanics; electromyography; imaging techniques; muscle function; motion analysis; sport performance
(This special issue belongs to the Section Medical Research)
Mucopolysaccharidosis-Plus: From Molecular Defects to Therapeutic Strategies
edited by Zuzanna Cyske
submission deadline 20 Feb 2026 | Viewed by 49 | Submission Open
Keywords: mucopolysaccharidosis; mucopolysaccharidosis-plus syndrome; MPSPS; VPS33A; therapy; patomechanism; diagnostic; patients’ care
(This special issue belongs to the Section Medical Research)
Nutrition, Exercise and Stress
edited by Maleah Holland-Winkler
submission deadline 25 Feb 2026 | Viewed by 431 | Submission Open
Keywords: nutrition; exercise; stress
(This special issue belongs to the Section Physiology and Pathology)
Diagnosis, Treatment and Prognosis of Prostate Cancer
edited by and Jesús Moreno Sierra
submission deadline 25 Feb 2026 | Viewed by 346 | Submission Open
Keywords: active surveillance; hormonal treatment; personalized medicine; prostate cancer; robotic surgery; targeted therapy
(This special issue belongs to the Section Medical Research)
Gynecology Update: Modern Diagnostic Approaches and Innovative Therapies
edited by Szabolcs Várbíró, , Richárd Tóth and Balázs Lintner
submission deadline 26 Feb 2026 | 3 articles | Viewed by 1440 | Submission Open
Keywords: gynecologic oncology; endocrinology; reproductive medicine; fertility preservation; prevention; women’ s health innovation; quality of life; personalized therapy
(This special issue belongs to the Section Medical Research)
Conservative Management of Chronic Disease—2nd Edition
edited by
submission deadline 26 Feb 2026 | Viewed by 133 | Submission Open
Keywords: chronic disease; conservative management; trial protocol; clinical research; interventions
(This special issue belongs to the Section Medical Research)
The Link Between Food Safety and Microbiology
edited by
submission deadline 26 Feb 2026 | Viewed by 121 | Submission Open
Keywords: food safety; food microbiology; beneficial microbes; food preservation; food safety enhancement
(This special issue belongs to the Section Microbiology)
Skin Aging and Dermatosis
edited by Edwin Lephart and Zoe D. Draelos
submission deadline 26 Feb 2026 | Viewed by 115 | Submission Open
Keywords: skin aging; chronological dermal aging; photo-aging; hormone therapy; menopause; estrogen-deficient skin; dermatosis; skin conditions
(This special issue belongs to the Section Medical Research)
Biomechanics of Aging submission deadline 26 Feb 2026 | Viewed by 113 | Submission Open
Keywords: aging; biomechanics; musculoskeletal; gait; balance; falls; exercise; assistive devices
(This special issue belongs to the Section Physiology and Pathology)
Oral Health: Microbial Dynamics and Antibiotic Stewardship
edited by Kristina Peroš
submission deadline 26 Feb 2026 | Viewed by 79 | Submission Open
Keywords: oral health; oral microbiota; microbial dynamics; antibiotic stewardship
(This special issue belongs to the Section Microbiology)
Pharmacological Advances in Anticancer, Antiparasitic, and Immunomodulatory Therapies
edited by Cássio Santana Meira and Vinicius Pinto Costa Rocha
submission deadline 26 Feb 2026 | Viewed by 59 | Submission Open
Keywords: anticancer drugs; antiparasitic agents; immunomodulatory therapy; drug development
(This special issue belongs to the Section Pharmaceutical Science)
Novel Therapies for Chronic Inflammatory Diseases and Autoimmune Diseases submission deadline 27 Feb 2026 | 3 articles | Viewed by 4675 | Submission Open
Keywords: chronic inflammatory diseases; autoimmune diseases; biomarker identification; innovative biologics; small-molecule inhibitors; gene editing technologies; cell-based therapeutics
(This special issue belongs to the Section Medical Research)
Acute Kidney Events in Intensive Care
edited by
submission deadline 27 Feb 2026 | 3 articles | Viewed by 4420 | Submission Open
Keywords: acute kidney events; ICU; critically ill; RRT; outcome; acute kidney disease; chronic kidney disease; biomarkers
(This special issue belongs to the Section Medical Research)
Feature Papers in Synthetic Biology and Systems Biology 2025
edited by
submission deadline 27 Feb 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 2129 | 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 708 | 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 | Viewed by 635 | 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 280 | 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 199 | 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 9522 | 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 | 7 articles | Viewed by 7868 | 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 4665 | 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 3347 | 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 1166 | 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)
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 944 | 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)
Advances in Novel Biomarkers and Emerging Immune/Targeted Therapies in Solid Tumors
edited by and Liang Lu
submission deadline 28 Feb 2026 | 1 articles | Viewed by 584 | 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)
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 135 | 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 103 | 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 70 | 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 60 | 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 51 | 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 45 | 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)
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