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New Insights into Protein and Biomolecule Interactions

A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Bioorganic Chemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2026 | Viewed by 2445

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Tianjin Key Laboratory of Function and Application of Biological Macromolecular Structures, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
Interests: protein; biomolecule; interaction; protein-biomolecule interactions; structural insights; drug development

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Guest Editor Assistant
School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Chemical Engineering Research Center, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
Interests: enzyme engineering; biocatalysis; rational design; protein structure; molecular docking; molecular simulation; molecular dynamics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Proteins and biomolecules play pivotal roles in virtually all biological processes, and their interactions are fundamental to understanding cellular functions, disease mechanisms, and drug development, among others. This Special Issue of Molecules aims to explore the latest advancements in the study of protein-biomolecule interactions, with a focus on innovative methodologies, structural insights, and functional implications. We invite contributions that delve into the dynamic interplay between proteins and other biomolecules, such as nucleic acids, lipids, and small molecules, utilizing cutting-edge techniques like cryo-EM, NMR, X-ray crystallography, and computational modelling. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, protein-ligand binding, allosteric regulation, molecular recognition, and the role of post-translational modifications in modulating interactions. By bringing together diverse perspectives, this Special Issue seeks to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of research and to highlight emerging trends that could shape future discoveries in molecular biology, biochemistry, and pharmacology. We welcome original research articles, reviews, and short communications that contribute to a deeper understanding of these complex interactions.

Dr. Xin Peng
Guest Editor

Dr. Jiaxing Zhang
Guest Editor Assistant

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Molecules is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • protein
  • biomolecule
  • interaction
  • protein-biomolecule interactions
  • structural insights
  • drug development

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Review

38 pages, 6394 KB  
Review
Aptamer-Based Biosensors for Rapid Detection and Early Warning of Food Contaminants: From Selection to Field Applications
by Cong Wang, Mengyu Ye, Ximeng Zhang, Xin Chai, Huijuan Yu, Boshi Liu, Chengyu Zhang and Yuefei Wang
Molecules 2025, 30(22), 4332; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30224332 - 7 Nov 2025
Viewed by 2126
Abstract
Aptamer-based biosensors have emerged as an important and promising technology for applications in food safety, environmental monitoring, and pharmaceutical analysis. Obtained via Systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) screening, these recognition elements exhibit antibody-comparable affinity and specificity, alongside superior chemical stability, [...] Read more.
Aptamer-based biosensors have emerged as an important and promising technology for applications in food safety, environmental monitoring, and pharmaceutical analysis. Obtained via Systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) screening, these recognition elements exhibit antibody-comparable affinity and specificity, alongside superior chemical stability, easy synthesis, and broad target adaptability. Substantial advances in the field have been marked by the systematic development of food contaminant-specific aptamers, elucidation of their binding mechanisms, and construction of versatile biosensing platforms. The integration of these aptamers with conventional electrochemical and optical sensors has substantially enhanced detection sensitivity and lowered detection limits, particularly for trace-level analytes in complex food matrices. Furthermore, the integration of aptamer technology with novel nanomaterials has facilitated the development of high-performance detection platforms for a wide range of food contaminants, including heavy metals, antibiotics, foodborne pathogens, mycotoxins, pesticides, and food additives. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in SELEX techniques for aptamer screening, highlights the application of aptamer-based biosensors in detecting these contaminants, and discusses current challenges and future prospects in the field of food safety, which establishes a comprehensive framework to advance aptamer-based biosensing technologies for rapid detection and early warning in food safety monitoring. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights into Protein and Biomolecule Interactions)
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