Announcements

Advances in energy storage technologies increasingly hinge on our ability to understand and engineer complex interfaces that govern performance, stability, and lifetime. This webinar brings together leading perspectives that bridge atomistic modeling, mesoscale characterization, and experimental design, highlighting how multi-physics insights can unravel degradation phenomena and guide the development of next-generation materials. By integrating computational predictions with cutting-edge experimental techniques, we aim to illuminate the mechanisms that emerge across scales and drive innovation in battery systems and beyond.

The program features a diverse set of contributions, from multi-physics analyses that shed light on non-linear degradation behavior in lithium-ion systems to state-of-the-art 3D electron diffraction and advanced STEM tomography approaches capable of capturing structural evolution in real time. It will also explore how molecular-level understanding can inform the design of functional interfaces, spanning applications from complex fluid systems to graphene-based materials. Together, these talks provide a cohesive view of how interdisciplinary approaches are reshaping the landscape of energy storage research.

Date: 28 April 2026 at 16:30 CEST | 9:30 CDT
Webinar ID: 825 7519 6512

Register now for free!

Program:

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information on how to join the webinar. Registrations with academic institutional email addresses will be prioritized.

Unable to attend? Register anyway, and we’ll let you know when the recording is available to watch.

Webinar Chair and Keynote Speakers:

• Dr. Diego Eduardo Galven Aranda, Texas A&M University, Chemical Engineering Department, USA;
• Dr. Matheus Leal de Souza, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College London, United Kingdom;
• Prof. Dr. Joke Hadermann, Physics, University of Antwerp, Belgium;
• Prof. Dr. Payam Kaghazchi, ¹ Associate Professor, University of Twente, the Netherlands; ² FZ Jülich, Germany;
• Dr. Samuel Bertolini, Université Catholique de Louvain, Belgium.

Relevant Special Issue:
“Advanced Interfaces in Energy Storage Devices: From Computational Insights to Experimental Innovations”

Guest Editor: Dr. Diego E. Galvez-Aranda
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2026

Our portfolio of journals available for publishing up-to-date research in immediate open access format has been further expanded. In the first quarter of 2026, nine new journals released their inaugural issues and three transferred journals released their first issue as part of MDPI, covering the subjects of clinical medicine, chemistry, computer science & mathematics, engineering, environment & ecology, and social sciences & psychology.

We extend our gratitude to the Editors-in-Chief, Associate Editors, and Editorial Board Members who will shape the future course of these brand-new journals. 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.

We would like to thank everyone who has supported the development of open access publishing. If you would like to create a new journal, you are welcome to send an application here or contact the New Journal Committee (newjournal-committee@mdpi.com).

As part of its ongoing commitment to advancing cancer research and knowledge exchange, MDPI highlights colorectal cancer in the March edition—one of the most prevalent and deadly cancers worldwide. It ranks as the third most diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally, with an estimated 1.9 million new cases and over 900,000 deaths each year.

Of growing concern is the steady rise in incidence among individuals under 50, a trend observed over the past two to three decades. This underscores the urgent need to better understand underlying risk factors, strengthen early detection strategies, and develop innovative diagnostic tools.

Through curated research, Special Issues, and expert-led webinars, MDPI journals continue to support collaboration across researchers, clinicians, and policymakers. Such collective efforts are essential to accelerate discoveries and translate them into meaningful action—advancing toward more effective prevention, earlier detection, and improved patient outcomes.

Keynote Speakers
Prof. Dr. Paola Patrignani, “G. d’Annunzio” University School of Medicine, Italy	Prof. Dr. William Gmeiner, Wake Forest University, USA	Dr. Eva Martínez-Balibrea, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Spain	Dr. Zoltán Wiener, Semmelweis University, Hungary

Register for this webinar for free here!

“Integrative Mechanistic Investigation of the Anticancer Effects of Panax notoginseng in Colorectal Cancer”
by Jaemoo Chun, Sarah Shin and Jeeyoun Jung
Molecules 2026, 31(5), 807; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules31050807  

“Integrated Multi-Omics Analysis Identifies Novel Prognostic and Diagnostic Hub Genes in Colorectal Cancer”
by Devi Lal and Himani Pandey
Onco 2025, 5(4), 50; https://doi.org/10.3390/onco5040050

“A Multimodal MRI-Based Model for Colorectal Liver Metastasis Prediction: Integrating Radiomics, Deep Learning, and Clinical Features with SHAP Interpretation”
by Xin Yan, Furui Duan, Lu Chen, Runhong Wang, Kexin Li, Qiao Sun and Kuang Fuby Xin Yan, Furui Duan, Lu Chen, Runhong Wang, Kexin Li, Qiao Sun and Kuang Fu
Curr. Oncol. 2025, 32(8), 431; https://doi.org/10.3390/curroncol32080431  

“Exploring Experimental Models of Colorectal Cancer: A Critical Appraisal from 2D Cell Systems to Organoids, Humanized Mouse Avatars, Organ-on-Chip, CRISPR Engineering, and AI-Driven Platforms—Challenges and Opportunities for Translational Precision Oncology”
by Ahad Al-Kabani, Bintul Huda, Jewel Haddad, Maryam Yousuf, Farida Bhurka, Faika Ajaz, Rajashree Patnaik, Shirin Jannati and Yajnavalka Banerjee
Cancers 2025, 17(13), 2163; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17132163

“The Gut Microbiota and Colorectal Cancer: Understanding the Link and Exploring Therapeutic Interventions”
by Imen Zalila-Kolsi, Dhoha Dhieb, Hussam A. Osman and Hadjer Mekideche
Biology 2025, 14(3), 251; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14030251

“A Novel Bacteriophage with the Potential to Inhibit Fusobacterium nucleatum-Induced Proliferation of Colorectal Cancer Cells”
by Ho Yin Pekkle Lam, Meng-Jiun Lai, Pin-Chun Wang, Wen-Jui Wu, Li-Kuang Chen, Hsiang-Wei Fan, Chun-Chieh Tseng, Shih-Yi Peng and Kai-Chih Chang
Antibiotics 2025, 14(1), 45; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics14010045

“A New Blood-Based Epigenetic Diagnostic Biomarker Test (EpiSwitch^®® NST) with High Sensitivity and Positive Predictive Value for Colorectal Cancer and Precancerous Polyps”
by Ewan Hunter, Heba Alshaker, Cicely Weston, Mutaz Issa, Shekinah Bautista, Abel Gebregzabhar, Anya Virdi, Ann Dring, Ryan Powell, Jayne Green et al.
Cancers 2025, 17(3), 521; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17030521

“The Role of KRAS Mutations in Colorectal Cancer: Biological Insights, Clinical Implications, and Future Therapeutic Perspectives”
by Mitsunobu Takeda, Shoma Yoshida, Takuya Inoue, Yuki Sekido, Tsuyoshi Hata, Atsushi Hamabe, Takayuki Ogino, Norikatsu Miyoshi, Mamoru Uemura, Hirofumi Yamamoto, Yuichiro Doki and Hidetoshi Eguchi
Cancers 2025, 17(3), 428; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17030428

“Network Pharmacology and Bioinformatics Study of Six Medicinal Food Homologous Plants Against Colorectal Cancer”
by Xinyue Zhao, Jian Xiu, Hengzheng Yang, Weiwei Han and Yue Jin
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(3), 930; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26030930

“A Review of Potential Agents for Colon Cancer Interception in FAP Patients: Evidence from Preclinical Studies in APC^Min/+ Mice”
by Karthikkumar Venkatachalam, Krishnendu Goswami, Venkateshwar Madka and Chinthalapally V. Rao
Targets 2025, 3(1), 4; https://doi.org/10.3390/targets3010004

“Colorectal Cancer: Epidemiology, Risk Factors, and Prevention”
by Gholamreza Roshandel, Fatemeh Ghasemi-Kebria and Reza Malekzadeh
Cancers 2024, 16(8), 1530; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16081530

“Symptom Burden and Time from Symptom Onset to Cancer Diagnosis in Patients with Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer: A Multicenter Retrospective Analysis”
by Victoria A. Baronas, Arif A. Arif, Eric Bhang, Gale K. Ladua, Carl J. Brown, Fergal Donnellan, Sharlene Gill, Heather C. Stuart and Jonathan M. Loree
Curr. Oncol. 2024, 31(4), 2133-2144; https://doi.org/10.3390/curroncol31040158

“Recent Advances in Surgical Strategies for Managing Metastatic Colorectal Cancer” Guest Editors: Dr. Fabrizio D'Acapito and Dr. Marco Vaira Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 June 2026	“Novel Strategies in the Prevention/Treatment of Colorectal Cancer: 2nd Edition” Guest Editor: Prof. Dr. William H. Gmeiner Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 June 2026
“Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Strategies of Colorectal Cancer” Guest Editor: Dr. Daniel Gabriel Pons Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 September 2026	“Gut Microbiota and Inflammation in Colorectal Tumor Development and Progression” Guest Editors: Prof. Dr. Giovanni Monteleone and Dr. Irene Marafini Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2026

We are pleased to announce the MDPI Academic Publishing Workshop, taking place on 18 May 2026 at Mae Fah Luang University. This event is organized in collaboration between the university and MDPI, reflecting a shared commitment to advancing interdisciplinary research that addresses global sustainability challenges through innovative approaches, cross-sector partnerships, and transformative solutions.

As part of an ongoing effort to strengthen research capacity, the Academic Publishing Workshop is designed to support and empower the academic community at Mae Fah Luang University. The session will highlight emerging trends, explore open access publishing strategies, and offer opportunities for direct engagement with journal editors and publishing professionals. Aimed particularly at early-career researchers and innovators, the workshop seeks to equip participants with practical skills to enhance the impact of their scholarly work and to foster meaningful international collaborations.

Date: 18 May 2026
Time: 8:30 a.m.—4:30 p.m.
Location: Room 518, General Sampao Choosri Building (E4), Mae Fah Luang University
Language: English
Registration: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/YYWVH8H

Chair:
	Prof. Dr. Saroat Rawdkuen is a distinguished Thai food scientist and academic leader (the World's Top 2% Scientists in 2022-2025 by Stanford University in Food Science), currently serving as a lecturer at the School of Agro-Industry, Mae Fah Luang University (MFU) in Chiang Rai, Thailand. He earned both his BSc (1st Class Hons.) and PhD in food technology from Prince of Songkla University, completing his doctorate in 2005.
Guest speaker:
	Prof. Dr. Sujitra Wongkasemjit is the Vice President of Mae Fah Luang University (MFU), Thailand. She plays an important role in advancing the university’s research development, international collaboration, and academic initiatives. She is a professor and researcher specializing in materials chemistry, catalysis, and petrochemical technology.

MDPI speakers:
	Dr. Krit Inthajak obtained his PhD in engineering and technology from Sirindhorn International Institute of Technology, Thammasat University. He joined MDPI in March 2020 as an Assistant Editor for Molecules. He was appointed as a Section Managing Editor in 2021 and worked as a Group Leader from 2021 to 2024. He is now one of MDPI’s Regional Journal Relations Specialists for the Asia–Pacific region.
	Dr. Juthathip Poofery holds a PhD in biochemistry from the Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Thailand. She began working at MDPI in 2021 as an Assistant Editor for Medicina and advanced to the position of Section Managing Editor in 2022. Since 2023, Dr. Poofery has been serving as the Group Leader of the “Medical Science” Section, where she oversees editorial operations and contributes to the advancement of research in the field.
	Ms. Hathaipat Kittirojana obtained her master’s degree in food science and biotechnology from Teesside University. She joined MDPI in December 2020 as an Assistant Editor for the Journal of Imaging. She was appointed as a Section Managing Editor in March 2023 and a Regional Journal Relations Specialist for the Asia–Pacific region in July 2024.
	Ms. Ploy Assavajamroon obtained her master’s degree in chemistry from Thammasat University, Thailand, in 2020 and joined MDPI as an Assistant Editor for the journal Crystals in the same year. She became a Section Managing Editor in 2021 and a Group Leader in 2022. She is currently one of MDPI’s Regional Journal Relations Specialists for the Asia–Pacific region.
	Ms. Pratthana Kruekantha graduated from Chiang Mai University with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and has been with MDPI since June 2022. Now a Proofreading Editor, her journey has included roles as Final Checker, Cross-Checker, and LaTeX Editor. Beyond her production work, Pratthana is deeply committed to knowledge sharing. As a certified Layout and Conversion Tutor, she has played a vital role in training new staff. She also dedicated a year as a Training Assistant, contributing significantly to the production department's learning and development initiatives.

We are delighted to announce that nominations are now open for the 2026 Tu Youyou Award. Named after Nobel Laureate Tu Youyou, whose discovery of artemisinin has saved millions of lives, this award recognizes researchers whose work advances the fields of natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry, while also contributing to human health.

Prize

– CHF 100,000;
– A medal;
– A certificate.

The monetary prize will be shared equally should there be multiple recipients.

Who May Be Nominated?

– Scientists with outstanding achievements and contributions in the fields of natural products chemistry and medicinal chemistry.

Nominees must be individuals; team or group nominations are not permitted. Nominations are valid only for the current award cycle.

Who May Submit a Nomination?

– The director of the nominee’s host research institution or recognized scientists within the field.

Self-nominations will not be considered.

Nomination Materials

– A biographical sketch;
– A detailed description of the nominee’s contributions;
– 5–10 representative academic publications;
– A list of academic honors, awards, and funded projects;
– A nomination letter signed by two nominators.

How to Submit?

Submit nominations online via the following link: https://tuyouyouprize.org/nomination

Important Dates

– Nomination Deadline: 31 October 2026
– Winner Announcement: March 2027

For further information, please visit the Tu Youyou Award website (https://tuyouyouprize.org/). For any inquiries, please contact the Tu Youyou Award Team at tuyouyouaward@mdpi.com.

Conference: The 19th National Synthetic Organic Chemistry Symposium
Date: 15–18 May 2026
Location: Suzhou, China

MDPI will be attending 19th National Synthetic Organic Chemistry Symposium, taking place between 15 and 18 May 2026, as an exhibitor. We welcome researchers from various backgrounds to visit our booth and share their latest ideas with us.

This symposium, the premier academic event in the field of organic synthetic chemistry in China in terms of academic level and scale, will center on the theme Organic Synthetic Chemistry: A New Era of Molecular Manufacturing. It will explore pathways for upgrading traditional synthetic paradigms, bring together leading scholars from the academic community, showcase cutting-edge research achievements, and discuss frontier developments in the discipline, thus establishing a high-level exchange platform for academia and industry. The conference is co-hosted by the Organic Chemistry Committee of the Chinese Chemical Society and the Suzhou Society of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, and is organized by the College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science of Soochow University.

The conference will feature diverse formats of academic exchange, including plenary lectures, invited lectures, oral presentations, and poster sessions. Topics will cover organic synthetic methodology, organometallic chemistry, synthesis of organic polymers and functional materials, natural product synthesis, and medicinal chemistry. Participants will engage in in-depth discussions and exchanges on frontier research advances and future directions in the field of organic synthetic chemistry. We warmly welcome scholars and graduate students to participate in this conference.

The following MDPI journals will be represented at this conference:

• Chemistry;
• Molbank;
• Organics;
• Molecules;
• AppliedChem;
• Pharmaceuticals;
• Marine Drugs.

If you are planning to attend this conference, please do not hesitate to start an online conversation with us. Our delegates look forward to meeting you in person at the booth and answering any questions that you may have.

We are pleased to announce that Prof. Dr. Habil. Przemysław Niedzielski has been appointed Section Editor-in-Chief of the “ Analytical Chemistry” Section in Molecules (ISSN: 1420-3049).

Prof. Dr. Habil. Przemysław Niedzielski is a distinguished chemist specializing in analytical chemistry. He earned his PhD in chemistry from Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań in 1999. In 2008, he completed his habilitation at the Faculty of Chemistry of the Gdańsk University of Technology. In recognition of his scientific achievements, he was awarded the title of Full Professor in 2018 at Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań.

In 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025, Prof. Dr. Habil. Przemysław Niedzielski was included in Stanford’s World Top Cited 2% Ranking (DOI:10.17632/btchxktzyw.8) – career-long impact category. The main research directions include the following:

• construction of analytical instruments;
• development of new procedures;
• speciation studies;
• trace analysis of environmental samples (water, soils, sediments, rocks, plants, and fungi)
• clinical analysis of food, dietary supplements, human and animal tissues;
• geochemical studies on depositional and postdepositional processes, environmental impacts, and transport of elements (tsunamis, storms, floods, glaciers, etc.);
• field studies in polar regions;
• archaeometry.

The research focuses on the development of analytical procedures and the analysis of various objects using spectrometric analytical techniques, including FTIR, Vis-NIR, Raman, XRF, LIBS, AAS, MIP OES, ICP OES, ICP MS, LA-ICP OES, LA-ICP MS, and hyphenated techniques such as HPLC-AAS, HPLC-MIP OES, HPLC- ICP OES, and HPLC-ICP MS.

More information about his research, activities, and academic contributions can be found at the following links:

• ORCID: 0000-0002-2787-9057;
• https://researchportal.amu.edu.pl/info/author/UAM85201/;
• pnied.web.amu.edu.pl.

The following is a short Q&A with Prof. Dr. Habil. Przemysław Niedzielski, who shared his vision for the journal with us, as well as his views on the research area.

1. What appealed to you about the journal that made you want to take the role as its Section Editor-in-Chief?
The journal has achieved a stable market position. Although the journal's reception within the scientific community is not always positive, it is gaining an increasingly strong position. And in my opinion, it is worthwhile to participate in this transformation in the journal's reception.

2. What is your vision for the journal?
I would like the journal to become an increasingly important and credible forum for the exchange of scientific ideas in the field of analytical chemistry. It is crucial to maintain a balance between the quantity of published texts and their scientific quality while expanding the availability of open access publishing.

3. What does the future of this field of research look like?
Analytical chemistry, which I represent, is a constantly evolving field of science. The development of new instrumentation and its availability are transforming research opportunities. The new knowledge gained becomes the basis for posing new cognitive questions, requiring new analytical tools. These two processes constitute the driving force of analytical chemistry.

4. What do you think of the development of open access in the publishing field?
Open access to publications is a crucial aspect of research freedom and the availability of its results. However, the financial aspect of publication is crucial. Lack of funding should not be a reason for not publishing research results. Therefore, mechanisms, including financial ones, that facilitate open publishing are important.

We wish Prof. Dr. Habil. Przemysław Niedzielski every success in his new position, and we look forward to seeing his contributions to the journal.

MDPI will be attending the 14th World Congress for Hair Research, which will take place from 28 to 31 May 2026 at COEX, Seoul, Republic of Korea.

Guided by the principle of “Awakening the Soul of Hair Science”, the 14th World Congress for Hair Research (WCHR 2026) stands poised to serve as a pivotal forum for the exchange of ideas and the exploration of strategies aimed at addressing contemporary challenges in the realm of hair research.

MDPI is excited to participate in this exciting event. We invite you to visit our booth, where you will have the opportunity to engage in face-to-face conversations with our representatives, learn more about our open access publishing services, and receive exclusive gifts.

The following open access journals will be represented at the conference:

• Cosmetics;
• BioMed;
• Dermato;
• Dermatopathology;
• Diagnostics;
• J. Aesthetic Med.;
• Life;
• Molecules;
• Reports.

If you are planning to attend the above event, 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://hair2026.org/home.

Conference: 15th National Conference on Environmental Catalysis and Eco‑Materials
Organization: Sichuan University
Date: 16–20 April 2026
Place: Chengdu, China

Since its inception, the National Conference on Environmental Catalysis and Environmental Materials has been successfully held fourteen times. It has become one of the largest and most influential academic events in China’s environmental catalysis and materials community.

The theme of this conference is “Beautiful China and Ecological Civilization Building: Environmental Catalysis and Material Empowerment for Green and Low-Carbon Development”. The conference will present a comprehensive overview of China’s latest research achievements and major advances in the fields of environmental catalysis and environmental materials in recent years. It will focus on topics such as catalytic purification of pollutants in different media (e.g., gas and water), design and characterization of environmental catalysts, recycling and resource utilization of waste plastics, and catalytic conversion and reduction of carbon dioxide. The meeting aims to delve into the opportunities and challenges faced by the discipline, clarify future development directions, and foster deep cooperation and collaborative innovation between academia and industry. Ultimately, it seeks to advance China’s science and technology in environmental catalysis and to promote the translation of research achievements in support of the nation’s “dual-carbon” strategy goals.

MDPI will attend the 15th National Conference on Environmental Catalysis and Eco‑Materials. We welcome researchers from different backgrounds to visit and share their latest ideas with us.

The following MDPI journals will be represented:

• Catalysts;
• Analytica;
• Microplastics;
• Molecules;
• Air;
• AppliedChem;
• Biomass;
• Chemistry;
• Physchem;
• Purification;
• Separations;
• Solids;
• Clean Technol.;
• Electrochem;
• Methane;
• Photochem;
• Reactions;
• Sustainable Chemistry;
• Technologies.

If you attend this conference, please feel free to visit our booth. 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 official website: https://www.15thncecm2026.com/.