Molecular Spectroscopy-Based Targeted Detection

Dear Colleagues,

Molecular spectroscopy-based targeted detection enables the specific identification and analysis of biomolecules by combining advanced spectroscopic techniques with targeted recognition strategies. This approach allows for non-invasive, real-time monitoring of biological processes without interfering with normal life activities, providing critical insights into molecular-level events and facilitating the connection between subcellular dynamics and broader physiological contexts. As a core methodology in modern analytical science, targeted detection provides the essential foundation for achieving high specificity and selectivity in complex biological environments.

This Special Issue invites contributions encompassing, but not limited to, the following themes:

• Developing novel in vivo and in vitro detection strategies using infrared, Raman, UV-Vis, fluorescence, and other molecular spectroscopy techniques.
• Creating specific sensing platforms for disease biomarkers such as nucleic acids, proteins, metabolites, circulating tumor cells, and pathogens.
• Designing and synthesizing targeted probes, including organic dyes, rare-earth nanomaterials, SERS-active substrates, quantum dots, polymer-based sensors, and biomolecular assemblies.
• Enhancing detection sensitivity, specificity, signal-to-noise ratio, and resolution through novel spectroscopic methods or computational approaches.
• Integrating spectroscopic detection with therapeutic strategies such as photodynamic, photothermal, gene, or immuno-therapies for theranostic applications.
• Discovering new biomarker targets and related signaling pathways for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.
• Engineering multifunctional detection systems to improve analytical performance and facilitate clinical translation.

We welcome the submission of original research, reviews, and short communications that present innovative advances in these rapidly evolving fields.

Prof. Dr. Zhuo Chen
Prof. Dr. Dingbin Liu
Prof. Dr. Ping Li
Guest Editors

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-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Targets is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly 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 1000 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.