Announcements

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.

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:

• Prof. Dr. A. Douglas Kinghorn, Ohio State University, USA.
  

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.

Six new journals covering a range of subjects launched their inaugural issues in June 2025. We are excited to be able to share with you the newest research rooted in the value of open access. We are pleased to present the latest research and to make it accessible to all.

We extend our sincere thanks to all the Editorial Board Members for their commitment and expertise. Each journal is dedicated to upholding strong editorial standards through a thorough peer review process, ensuring impactful open access scholarship.

Please feel free to browse and discover more about the new journals below.

Journal	Founding Editor-in-Chief	Journal Topics (Selected)
	Prof. Dr. Chang-Pu Sun, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Beijing, China; Computational Science Research Center, China Editorial | View inaugural issue	quantum information and phenomena; condensed matter physics and statistical physics; atomic, molecular, and optical physics; computational physics and mathematical methods View journal scope | Submit an article
	Prof. Dr. Hualiang Lin, Sun Yat-sen University, China; Prof. Dr. Jose L. Domingo, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Spain Editorial | View inaugural issue	green and organic food; green infrastructures; green exercise; environmental impact of the healthcare sector; effects of climate change on human health | View journal scope | Submit an article
	Prof. Dr. Francesco Veglio, University of L’Aquila, Italy Editorial | View inaugural issue	ultra-pure substances; water purification; air purification; gas purification; inorganic chemical purification; purification technologies View journal scope | Submit an article
	Prof. Dr. Junxing Zheng, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China Editorial | View inaugural issue	computer-aided design and engineering; artificial intelligence and machine learning; building information modeling (BIM) and digital twins; robotics and automation in construction; smart sensors and Internet of Things (IoT); intelligent control systems and facilities management View journal scope | Submit an article
	Prof. Dr. Assunta Di Vaio, University of Naples Parthenope, Italy Editorial | View inaugural issue	sustainability, managerial, and biodiversity accounting; carbon management accounting; corporate social responsibility; artificial intelligence and disclosure View journal scope | Submit an article
	Prof. Dr. Changjun Liu, Sichuan University, China Editorial | View inaugural issue	bioeffects of electromagnetic waves; electromagnetic science and engineering; microwave, millimeter-wave, and terahertz technologies; metamaterials and metasurfaces; communication, sensing, and networks; energy, power, and sustainable applications; quantum and emerging technologies; artificial intelligence and advanced fabrication View journal scope | Submit an article

Conference: The 4th National Youth Forum on Energy Chemistry, Chinese Chemical Society
Date:  1–3 August 2025
Location: Yangzhou, China

MDPI will attend the 4th National Youth Forum on Energy Chemistry, organized by the Chinese Chemical Society, which will be held from 1 to 3 August 2025, as an exhibitor (booth position—B7). We welcome researchers from various backgrounds to visit our booth and share their latest ideas with us.

The 4th National Youth Forum on Energy Chemistry, organized by the Chinese Chemical Society, was themed “Driving New Developments in Energy, Anticipating New Trends in Carbon Neutrality”. The conference aimed to promote communication and cooperation among young scholars in the field of energy materials chemistry in China, to jointly discuss the latest developments and sustainable progress in the energy sector, and to facilitate the development and application of industrial technologies.

The organizing committee sincerely invites experts, scholars, and graduate students from the field to attend the discussions and warmly welcomes representatives from the industry to participate in the conference.

The following MDPI journals will be represented at the conference:

• Chemistry;
• Molecules;
• Catalysts;
• Solids;
• Batteries;
• Photochem;
• Methane;
• Sustainable Chemistry.

We are delighted to announce that MDPI will be participating as an exhibitor in the 21^st International Zeolite Conference (21^st IZC), organized by the Chinese Zeolite Association, and it will be held from 13 to 18 July 2025 in Dalian, China. 

This conference aims to sustain the momentum in advancing both the fundamental and applied sciences of porous materials. These materials encompass a diverse array, including microporous zeolites and zeolitic materials, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), covalent organic frameworks (COFs), mesoporous structural materials, and porous mixed solids, among others. 

The following MDPI journals will be represented at the conference:

• Molecules;
• Membranes;
• AppliedChem;
• ChemEngineering;
• Inorganics;
• Materials;
• Reactions;
• Separations;
• Chemistry. 

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

For more information about the conference, please visit the following link: https://www.izc2025.com/.

Conference: ACS Fall 2025
Date: 17–21 August 2025
Location: Washington, DC, USA 

MDPI will be attending ACS Fall 2025, which will be held from 17 to 21 August 2025 in Washington, DC, USA. 

The Fall 2025 conference of the American Chemical Society (ACS) will be held in Washington, D.C., the center of global policy. As the largest international academic event in the field of chemistry, this session focuses on “Chemistry Powering Multidisciplinary Solutions”, addressing global challenges such as climate change, the public health crisis, and the energy transition, and promoting the strategic shift from basic research to industrial application. The core theme forums mainly include the following points:

• Breakthroughs in Energy Materials:
• Stability regulation of the solid electrolyte interface (SEI);
• Optimization of hydrogen production efficiency through photocatalytic water cracking (target > 15%);
• Pathways for enhancing the selectivity of carbon dioxide electrocatalytic conversion to C₂+ products.
• Life Sciences and Health:
• Clinical transformation of targeted protein degradation (PROTAC) technology;
• The application of single-cell metabolomics in the early diagnosis of cancer;
• AI-driven rational design of antimicrobial peptides.
• Sustainable Development Technologies:
• Development of plastic chemical recycling catalysts (depolymerization rate ≥ 95%);
• Trace pollutant adsorption based on metal–organic frameworks (MOFs);
• Alternative evaluation of green solvents in pharmaceutical processes (PMI index optimization). 

The following MDPI journals will be represented at the conference:

• Molecules;
• Nanomaterials;
• Separations;
• Materials;
• Batteries;
• Polymers;
• Molbank;
• Organics;
• AppliedChem;
• Liquids;
• Reactions;
• Membranes;
• Colorants;
• Chemistry;
• Analytica;
• Coatings;
• Crystals;
• Electrochem;
• Applied Sciences;
• Catalysts;
• Sustainable Chemistry;
• Ceramics;
• C;
• CMD. 

If you are planning to attend the conference, we encourage you to visit our booth and speak to our representatives. We are eager to meet you in person and assist you with any queries that you may have. For more information about the conference, please visit the official website: https://www.acs.org/events/fall.html.

We are pleased to share that Molecules (ISSN: 1420-3049) was awarded an increased Impact Factor of 4.6 in the 2024 Journal Citation Reports™ released by Clarivate™ in June 2025. Molecules ranks 75/239 (Q2) in the “Chemistry, Multidisciplinary” category and 82/319 (Q2) in the “Biochemistry and Molecular Biology” category.

The 2024 Journal Impact Factor is calculated by dividing the number of citations received in 2024 to all publications in the journal from 2022 and 2023 by the total number of citable publications from those same years.

To learn more, visit our journal statistics website for detailed metrics or check out our news article for general information.

The support and dedication of all the editors, reviewers, authors, and readers are an integral part of the journal’s performance. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you who have contributed to the journal.

International Albinism Awareness Day 2025 underscores the urgent need for increased awareness, preventive care, and accessible healthcare for people with albinism. This year’s theme highlights the life-threatening impact of skin cancer among individuals with albinism and reinforces the importance of sun protection, early detection, and timely treatment.

Albinism is a rare, inherited genetic condition that affects the body’s ability to produce melanin, the pigment responsible for the color of our skin, hair, and eyes. People with albinism typically have very light skin and hair, alongside various vision impairments. While it is not contagious and does not affect intelligence, albinism is often misunderstood. This leads to stigmatization, discrimination, and even human rights violations in some regions where harmful myths persist.

Because they have little to no melanin, individuals with albinism are especially vulnerable to sun damage and face a significantly increased risk of developing skin cancer. Addressing this requires more than just clinical intervention—it calls for integrated healthcare policies and inclusive social systems that acknowledge both the medical and socio-political dimensions of the condition.

In recognition of this global observance, we invite you to explore a curated collection of articles and Special Issues from selected MDPI journals, including Biomedicines, Cancers, Children, Diagnostics, Genes, International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Journal of Clinical Medicine and Molecules. These open-access resources provide critical insights into the diagnosis, management, and complications of albinism, and promote cross-disciplinary collaboration between researchers, clinicians, and advocacy groups.

Together, through science, education, and empathy, we can foster a more inclusive world where people with albinism live free from discrimination and with access to the care they deserve.

“Can a Portable Flash Visual Evoked Potential (VEP) Device Identify Chiasmal Decussation Anomalies in Albinism?”
by Eloise Keeling, Perry Carter, Abdi Malik Musa, Fatima Shawkat, Helena Lee and Jay E. Self
Diagnostics 2025, 15(11), 1395; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics15111395

“Common Variants in the TYR Gene with Unclear Pathogenicity as the Cause of Oculocutaneous Albinism in a Cohort of Russian Patients”
by Olga Shchagina, Anna Stepanova, Polina Mishakova, Vitaliy Kadyshev, Nina Demina, Ludmila Bessonova, Sofya Ionova, Daria Guseva, Andrey Marakhonov, Rena Zinchenko et al.
Biomedicines 2024, 12(10), 2234; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines12102234

“Functional Characterization of Splice Variants in the Diagnosis of Albinism”
by Modibo Diallo, Cécile Courdier, Elina Mercier, Angèle Sequeira, Alicia Defay-Stinat, Claudio Plaisant, Shahram Mesdaghi, Daniel Rigden, Sophie Javerzat, Eulalie Lasseaux et al.
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(16), 8657; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25168657

“Genetic Linkage between CAPN5 and TYR Variants in the Context of Albinism and Autosomal Dominant Neovascular Inflammatory Vitreoretinopathy Absence: A Case Report”
by Mirjana Bjeloš, Ana Ćurić, Mladen Bušić, Benedict Rak and Biljana Kuzmanović Elabjer
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(12), 6442; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25126442

“Missing Heritability in Albinism: Deep Characterization of a Hungarian Albinism Cohort Raises the Possibility of the Digenic Genetic Background of the Disease”
by Nikoletta Nagy, Margit Pal, Jozsef Kun, Bence Galik, Peter Urban, Marta Medvecz, Beata Fabos, Alexandra Neller, Aliasgari Abdolreza, Judit Danis, Viktoria Szabo, Zhuo Yang, Stefanie Fenske, Martin Biel, Attila Gyenesei, Eva Adam and Marta Szell
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(2), 1271; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25021271

“Does Foveal Hypoplasia Affect Emmetropization in Patients with Albinism?”
by Line Kessel, Christine Dahlgren Bohnsack Kjølholm and Joaquim Torner Jordana
Children 2023, 10(12), 1910; https://doi.org/10.3390/children10121910

“Vision-Related Quality of Life in Danish Patients with Albinism and the Impact of an Updated Optical Rehabilitation”
by Kristian Lisbjerg, Joaquim Torner Jordana, Vibeke N. Brandt, Christine Kjølholm and Line Kessel
J. Clin. Med. 2023, 12(17), 5451; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12175451

“Skin Pigmentation Types, Causes and Treatment—A Review”
by Amin Mahmood Thawabteh, Alaa Jibreen, Donia Karaman, Alà Thawabteh and Rafik Karaman
Molecules 2023, 28(12), 4839; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28124839

“Report of Hermansky–Pudlak Syndrome in Two Families with Novel Variants in HPS3 and HPS4 Genes”
by Sadeeda Qaiser Zaman, Muhammad Anas, Gauhar Rehman, Qadeem Khan, Aiman Iftikhar, Mashal Ahmad, Muhammad Owais, Ilyas Ahmad, Osama Yousef Muthaffar, Angham Abdulrhman Abdulkareem et al.
Genes 2023, 14(1), 145; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes14010145

“Diagnostic Yield of Genetic Testing for Ocular and Oculocutaneous Albinism in a Diverse United States Pediatric Population”
by Kyle S. Chan, Brenda L. Bohnsack, Alexander Ing, Andy Drackley, Valerie Castelluccio, Kevin X. Zhang, Hanta Ralay-Ranaivo and Jennifer L. Rossen
Genes 2023, 14(1), 135; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes14010135

“More than Skin Deep—Latest Advances in Congenital and Autoimmune Pigmentation Disorders” Guest Editor: Prof. Dr. Reinhart M. Speeckaert Submission deadline: 25 August 2025	“Melanin Pigmentation: Physiology and Pathology” Guest Editors: Prof. Dr. Shosuke Ito and Prof. Dr. Manickam Sugumaran Submission deadline: 20 October 2025

MDPI will be attending the 22nd National Congress on Catalysis (22NCC), which will be held from 19 to 23 October 2025, in Xiamen, China.

The National Congress on Catalysis is the largest and most academically advanced national academic conference in the field of catalysis, held every two years. This conference is co-sponsored by the Catalysis Professional Committee of the Chinese Chemical Society and Xiamen University and is chaired by Prof. Wang Ye of Xiamen University. The theme of the conference is “Catalysis Science and Technology in the New Era: Integrity and Innovation”, covering the cutting-edge research and application progress in catalysis science and technology in the fields of chemical engineering, energy, environment, materials, life, etc. The agenda mainly includes invited reports of the conference, keynote reports of the branch, invited reports of the branch, oral reports, poster presentations, special forums, etc.

The following MDPI journals will be represented:

• Catalysts;
• Molecules;
• Surfaces;
• Applied Nano;
• Biomass;
• Chemistry;
• Electrochem;
• Energies;
• Inorganics;
• Molbank;
• Nanomaterials;
• Organics;
• Solids;
• Compounds.

If you plan on attending this conference, please feel free to stop by our booth #E12, and have 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 link: https://22ncc.scimeeting.cn/cn/web/index/27913.

We are pleased to share that Molecules (ISSN: 1420-3049) has received an increased CiteScore of 8.6 in June 2025. The CiteScore ranks the journal 26 out of 212 titles (Q1) in the “Chemistry (Organic Chemistry)” category; 31 out of 185 titles (Q1) in the “Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics (Pharmaceutical Science)” category; 27 out of 160 titles (Q1) in the “Chemistry (Analytical Chemistry)” category; 34 out of 187 titles (Q1) in the “Chemistry (Physical and Theoretical Chemistry)” category; 30 out of 156 titles (Q1) in the “Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics (Drug Discovery)” category; 24 out of 124 titles (Q1) in the “Chemistry (Miscellaneous)” category; 39 out of 177 titles (Q1) in the “Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology (Molecular Medicine)” category, an impressive achievement for a journal running in Volume 30.

You can find more statistics on our website: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/molecules/stats.

The current CiteScore measure the average number of citations within a journal over a four-year window (2021–2024). The Scopus database provides a comprehensive suite of metrics that support informed publishing strategies, research evaluation and enable benchmarking of journal performance.

This achievement reflects the collective efforts of our authors, reviewers, and editors. Together we will continue to track the progress of Molecules and its growing impact in chemistry and all interfacing disciplines.