Announcements

Rigorous peer-review is the cornerstone of high-quality academic publishing. Over 369,916 scholars served as reviewers for MDPI journals in 2020. We are extremely appreciative of all those who made a contribution to the editorial process in this capacity. At the beginning of every year, journal editorial offices publish a list of all reviewers’ names to express our gratitude. In addition, this year, the MDPI Top Reviewer Award was announced, to recognize the very best reviewers for their expertise and dedication, and their high-quality, and timely review reports. We are pleased to announce the following winners of the 2020 MDPI Top Reviewer Award:

• Adriana Burlea-Schiopoiu;
• Alban Kuriqi;
• Álvaro González-Vila;
• Alessandro Alaimo;
• Alexey Beskopylny;
• Alexander Yu Churyumov;
• Alberto Fernández-Isabel;
• Andrea Mastinu;
• Antonios N. Papadopoulos;
• Anton Rassõlkin;
• Antonio Humberto Hamad Minervino;
• Arkadiusz Matwijczuk;
• Artur Słomka;
• Baojie He;
• Bartłomiej Potaniec;
• Bojan Đurin;
• Camilo Arturo Rodriguez Diaz;
• Carmelo Maria Musarella;
• Chiachung Chen;
• Chiman Kwan;
• Cristian Busu;
• Danil Pimenov;
• Dan-Cristian Dabija;
• Delfín Ortega-Sánchez;
• Demetrio Antonio Zema;
• Denis Butusov;
• Elena Lucchi;
• Gaurab Dutta;
• Livia Anastasiu;
• M. R. Safaei.

For more information about how to become a reviewer of MDPI journals, please see: www.mdpi.com/reviewers.

UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. In 2020 the SDG Publishers Compact was launched, aimed to inspire publishers and accelerate progress to achieve the 17 goals by 2030. Members of the programme are committed to support the publication of materials that will promote and inspire actions towards SDGs.

MDPI is an eager advocate of SDGs and has already been supporting the programme by creating Special Issues and publishing a series of books on SDGs prior to joining the Compact in 2021. MDPI's Sustainability Foundation initiated the World Sustainability Awards in 2016. We fully support UN's goals to promote sustainable actions that make the world a better place for all and, as part of its commitment, we will focus our actions on SDG10: Reduced Inequalities whilst promoting all 17 SDGs. For more details, please visit the programme’s website: https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sdg-publishers-compact/.

Joining this initiative was a unanimous decision. MDPI has in its core values the dissemination of science for all, breaking the wall between research access and under-represented members of the scientific community and the general population. To support this initiative further and continue to support under-represented scientists, MDPI will take a series of actions that will be announced once ready.

The first action MDPI takes is to nominate Dr. Liliane Auwerter as the coordinator of the programme. Dr. Auwerter studied Environmental Process Technology (UTFPR, Brazil), obtained her MSc degree in Water and Environmental Engineering (University of Surrey, UK) and in 2020 completed her PhD in self-healing low-friction materials for water transport (Imperial College London, UK), always focusing on diverse scientific projects that would potentially bring sustainability to industrial processes. As a student in Brazil, she engaged in volunteering activities focused on environmental education and took part in the Millennial Development Goals meetings held at the university.

For more information, please contact:
Dr. Liliane Auwerter
Scientific Officer
liliane.auwerter@mdpi.com

Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049) has launched a new section entitled “Bioactive Lipids”. If you are an active researcher in a relevant field of research and are passionate about contributing to the publication of cutting-edge research, please do not hesitate to contact us about joining the board.

The Section “Bioactive Lipids” of the journal Molecules publishes original, fundamental, and impactful research and timely review articles on bioactive lipids. The Section covers all aspects of this rapidly growing field of investigation, with the aim of increasing our understanding of how the chemical structure of bioactive lipids determines their pharmacodynamic, pharmacokinetic, and physicochemical properties and, hence, their therapeutic potential. The main scope is covered by, but not limited to, the following core research areas:

• The structures and chemical properties of (i) eicosanoids (e.g., leukotrienes, lipoxins and prostanoids like prostaglandins, prostacyclines, and thromboxanes), (ii) endocannabinoids (e.g., anandamide [N-arachidonoylethanolamine], other N-acylethanolamines, 2-arachidonoyl glycerol, other acyl esters and endocannabinoid-like compounds), (iii) specialized proresolving mediators (e.g., resolvins, maresins, (neuro)protectins), (iv) steroids, and (v) isoprostanes, sphingosines, and plasmalogens;
• The structures and chemical properties of plant-derived cannabinoids (terpeno-phenol compounds, also known as phytocannabinoids), and of additional natural compounds such as terpenoids (including sterols), carotenoids, and phenolics (including flavonoids);
• The structural and functional properties of metabolic enzymes that synthesize bioactive lipids both in vivo and in vitro;
• The structural and functional properties of the transporters that move bioactive lipids intracellularly, across the plasma membrane, and extracellularly;
• The structural and functional properties of the receptor targets of bioactive lipids, along with molecular details of the signal transduction pathways triggered thereof.

MDPI will be attending the 2021 Chinese Medicinal Chemistry Symposium and CPA-EFMC International Symposium on Medicinal Chemistry (CMCS 2021), hosted by the Division of Medicinal Chemistry and Chinese Pharmaceutical Association, which will be held from Monday, 27 September, until Thursday, 30 September 2021, in Shenyang, China.

As a top-level biennial event in the medicinal chemistry and the related fields in China, CMCS aims to boost the information exchange and communication between peers in frontiers of medicinal chemistry and the relevant fields. According to the cooperation framework agreement signed by the Chinese Pharmaceutical Association (CPA) and the European Federation for Medicinal Chemistry (EFMC), the CPA-EFMC International Symposium on Medicinal Chemistry (CPA-EFMC ISMC) will be held concurrently.

The topics covered will include the frontiers and hotspots of medicinal chemistry and chemical biology, innovative drug research for major diseases, rational drug design strategies and new methods, lead compound discovery and optimization strategies, natural active substance discovery and structural modification, and modern drug preparation technology and innovation craft.

The following MDPI journals will be represented:

• Molecules;
• Antibiotics;
• Medical Sciences.

If you are also attending this conference, please feel free to stop by our booth (#16). Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person to answer any questions you may have. For more information about the conference, please visit https://cmcs2021.syphu.edu.cn/Home.htm.

Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049) has launched a new section entitled “Inorganic Chemistry”. If you are an active researcher in a relevant field of research and are passionate about contributing to the publication of cutting-edge research, please do not hesitate to contact us about joining the board.

The “Inorganic Chemistry” Section of Molecules covers all fundamental and applied aspects of the inorganic chemistry of discrete and condensed matter inorganic compounds and materials. This includes studies on the synthesis of new compounds and materials, the characterization of their structures by experimental and theoretical means, and the exploration of their chemical and physical properties in addition to their applications. Studies aimed at establishing the structure–property relationships in known compounds and materials are also important subjects covered in the “Inorganic Chemistry” Section.

Publications in this Section will include original and innovative studies and applications that will enrich knowledge on inorganic chemistry in the form of full-length articles, communications of current interest, and review articles on topics of emerging interest from leading scientists. Special Issues on hot topics will also be published in this Section.

Topics of interest to the “Inorganic Chemistry” Section include, but are not limited to:

• Synthesis of inorganic and organic/inorganic hybrid compounds;
• Studies of mixed-valence compounds;
• Molten-salt-mediated and hydrothermal reaction methods;
• Studies of rare-earth compounds and their properties;
• Development of nanomaterials and semiconductor materials;
• Photocatalysts for hydrogen production and photo-oxidation;
• Synthesis of nanoporous materials and composites;
• Inorganic biomaterial composites for energy applications;
• Studies of optical and magnetic compounds and materials;
• Studies of superconducting, multiferroic and thermoelectric materials;
• Investigation of linear and nonlinear optical properties;
• Theoretical and computational studies of structure–property relationships.

If you have any questions, please contact molecules@mdpi.com.

Molecules (ISSN: 1420-3049) has just launched one new Section: “Macromolecular Chemistry”. If you are an active researcher in the field and are passionate about participating in cutting-edge research publications, please do not hesitate to contact us about joining the board and contributing to the Section.

The Section “Macromolecular Chemistry” (https://www.mdpi.com/journal/molecules/sections/macromolecular_chemistry) publishes original, fundamental, impactful research and timely review articles on all aspects of polymer science. The journal covers all aspects of polymer synthesis, including polymerization mechanisms and chemical functional transformations, with a focus on novel polymers and the relationships between molecular structure and polymer properties. In addition, we welcome submissions on bio-based, natural, or renewable polymers, stimuli-responsive systems, and polymer bio-hybrids. The main topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

• Novel synthetic routes for polymerization, functional modification, controlled/living polymerization, and precision polymers;
• Polymerization mechanisms and kinetics;
• Macromolecular structure and function and advanced characterization of polymers;
• Sustainable polymer synthesis, bio-based, natural, biodegradable, and polymeric bio-nanocomposites;
• Supramolecular polymers and self-assembly;
• Polymers for regenerative medicine and biomedical applications or drug delivery release;
• Synthesis and application of novel polymers.

This position is open to experts in all aspects of macromolecular chemistry. To apply for this position, recommend potential candidates, or request further information, please contact Hanna Xiong (hanna.xiong@mdpi.com) from the Molecules Editorial Office.

The Section “Flavours and Fragrances” of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049, IF 4.411) (https://www.mdpi.com/journal/molecules) is recruiting Editorial Board Members.

Serving as a Section Editorial Board Member, you will have the opportunity to publish one paper free of charge in Molecules per year if the editorial workloads are carried out in full, and you will receive special discounts to publish additional papers.

Briefly, responsibilities include the following:

1. Advising on the strategic development of the journal;
2. Leading at least one Special Issue related to your research field every two years;
3. Soliciting at least five high-quality submissions and promoting the journal among the related community;
4. Pre-screening and making decisions on manuscripts;
5. Promoting the journal at scientific conferences or through other venues.

Molecules is a leading international, peer-reviewed, open access journal of chemistry sciences published semimonthly online by MDPI. For more information about this Section, please see: (https://www.mdpi.com/journal/molecules/sections/flavours_and_fragrances).

This position is open to experts in various aspects of flavour and fragrance compounds. To apply for this position, recommend potential candidates, or request further information, please contact Jim Zhu (jim.zhu@mdpi.com) from the Molecules Editorial Office.

The Section “Applied Chemistry” of Molecules is recruiting Editorial Board Members. You can check the existing Editorial Board Members by visiting the following link:

https://www.mdpi.com/journal/molecules/sectioneditors/applied-chemistry.

Benefits of Molecules Editorial Board membership:

1. Increase your visibility and also increase your knowledge of the field;
2. Full waiver of the article processing charge (APC, CHF 2000) for one paper published in Molecules per year and special discounts (10% off) for any additional papers, providing that terms 1 or 2 in the responsibilities are addressed during the editorship;
3. Molecules offers sponsorships for conferences organized by Editorial Board Members and helps with promotion.

The main responsibilities of the Section Editorial Board Members are as follows:

1. Providing scientific supervision for the Section;
2. Inviting distinguished scientists to join the Editorial Board;
3. Suggesting hot topics for Special Issues;
4. Making decisions about the suitability of a paper to enter the peer-review process and about its acceptance at the end of the process;
5. Promoting this Section, recommending international conference cooperation, and assisting this Section in holding physical/electronic conferences;
6. Providing feedback and suggesting improvements for the journal.

This Section of Molecules covers the application of the principles and theories of chemistry to answer a specific question or solve a real-world problem, as opposed to pure chemistry, which is aimed at enhancing knowledge within the field. For more information about this Section and publishing in Molecules, please see the Section’s webpage: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/molecules/sections/applied-chemistry.

To apply for this position, recommend potential candidates, or request further information, please contact Ms. Kylie Xiao (kylie.xiao@mdpi.com) from the Molecules Editorial Office.

The Section “Food Chemistry” of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049, IF 4.411) (https://www.mdpi.com/journal/molecules) is recruiting Editorial Board Members.

Serving as a Section Editorial Board Member, you will have the opportunity to publish one paper free of charge in Molecules per year if the editorial workloads are carried out in full, and you will receive special discounts to publish additional papers.

Briefly, responsibilities include the following:

1. Advising on the strategic development of the journal;
2. Leading at least one Special Issue related to your research field every two years;
3. Soliciting at least five high-quality submissions and promoting the journal among the related community;
4. Pre-screening and making decisions on manuscripts;
5. Promoting the journal at scientific conferences or through other venues.

Molecules is a leading international, peer-reviewed, open access journal of chemistry sciences published semimonthly online by MDPI. For more information about this Section, please see: (https://www.mdpi.com/journal/molecules/sections/food_chemistry).

This position is open to experts in all aspects of food chemistry. To apply for this position, recommend potential candidates, or request further information, please contact Meta Miao (meta.miao@mdpi.com) from the Molecules Editorial Office.

The Section “Molecular Structure” of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049) is recruiting Editorial Board Members. Molecules is published semimonthly online by MDPI with 2020 IF of 4.411. This is a leading international, peer-reviewed, open access journal of chemistry.

This Section publishes original research articles, reviews, short communications, and invited perspective articles on all aspects of molecular structure, which is broadly defined as the study of condensed and gaseous states of matter in the form of molecules (as opposed to atoms, plasmas, or subatomic particles). We welcome manuscripts on fundamental and applied aspects of experimental, theoretical, or computational studies of molecular structure, including but not limited to the topics of chemical bonding, DFT, docking, spectroscopy, diffraction, molecular dynamics simulations, protein structure prediction, quantum chemistry, X-ray crystallography, and microscopy.

For more information about this Section, please see the Section’s webpage: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/molecules/sections/molecular_structure.

The main responsibilities of the Section Editorial Board Members are as follows:

• Promoting this new Section on your social media or among your acquaintances;
• Supervising the quality of the papers in this Section (when we have new submissions to the Section);
• Acting as/recommending a Guest Editor for a Special Issue on a topic related to your research interests.

To apply for this position, recommend potential candidates, or request further information, please contact Ms. Connie Yuan (connie.yuan@mdpi.com), the Section Managing Editor.