Announcements

We are pleased to announce the winners of the IJMS 2024 Most Popular Cover Selection. The winners will receive CHF 300 and each certificate. The winners are detailed below.

	“Valorization of Blueberry Pomacevia Green Extraction for Bioactive Applications” by Giorgio Capaldi, Clelia Aimone, Emanuela Calcio Gaudino, Kristina Radošević, Martina Bagović, Giorgio Grillo and Giancarlo Cravotto Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(20), 11032; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252011032 Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/25/20/11032
	“Antibody Drug Conjugates Bearing Metallodrugs and Nature-Inspired Payloads” by Giovanni Tonon, Flavio Rizzolio, Fabiano Visentin and Thomas Scattolin Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(16), 8651; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25168651 Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/25/16/8651
	“Combinatory Nanovesicle with siRNA-Loaded Exosome and IGF-1 for Osteoarthritis” by Jun Yong Kim, Seung Yeon Lee, Seung-Gyu Cha, Jung Min Park, Duck Hyun Song, Sang-Hyuk Lee, Dong-Youn Hwang, Byoung Ju Kim, Seungsoo Rho, Chun Gwon Park et al. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(10), 5242; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25105242 Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/25/10/5242
	“Cell Type-Specific Extracellular Vesicles and Their Impact on Health and Disease” by Sohil Amin, Hamed Massoumi, Deepshikha Tewari, Arnab Roy, Madhurima Chaudhuri, Cedra Jazayerli, Abhi Krishan, Mannat Singh, Mohammad Soleimani, Emine E. Karaca et al. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(5), 2730; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25052730 Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/25/5/2730
	“The Irony of Iron: Diverse Influence on Neurodegenerative Diseases” by Seojin Lee and Gabor G. Kovacs Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(8), 4269; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25084269 Available online: https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/25/8/4269

Congratulations to the winners for their excellent research!

IJMS Editorial Office

World Immunization Week, celebrated annually during the last week of April, is a global health awareness initiative highlighting the critical role of vaccines in protecting people of all ages against vaccine-preventable diseases.

On this momentous occasion, we are thrilled to present a thoughtfully selected compilation of articles and Special Issues that focus on the pioneering research and cutting-edge strategies in immunology and vaccination. We encourage readers to delve into these scholarly contributions and stand with us in our commitment to preserving and enhancing global immunization health.

Join us as we explore the latest findings and innovative methods that are shaping the future of immunization. Together, we can strive towards a world where every individual has access to the life-saving benefits of vaccines.

We hope that the established journals in the fields of biology life sciences and medicine and pharmacology at MDPI will provide a communication platform for innovative ideas regarding prevention and treatment.

“Lifestyle and Biochemical Parameters That May Hamper Immune Responses in Pediatric Patients After Immunization with the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine”
by Anthie Damianaki, Antonios Marmarinos, Margaritis Avgeris, Dimitrios Gourgiotis, Elpis-Athina Vlachopapadopoulou, Marietta Charakida, Maria Tsolia and Lydia Kossiva
Diseases 2025, 13(3), 78; https://doi.org/10.3390/diseases13030078

“Evaluating the Potential of Herbal Extracts as Treatment in Immune Thrombocytopenia: A Review of Evidence and Limitations”
by Russell W. Wiggins, Jihoo Woo, John Nicholas Cauba and Shizue Mito
Appl. Biosci. 2025, 4(1), 1; https://doi.org/10.3390/applbiosci4010001

“Immunotherapeutic Strategies for the Treatment of Glioblastoma: Current Challenges and Future Perspectives”
by Ilaria Salvato and Antonio Marchini
Cancers 2024, 16(7), 1276; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16071276

“Unveiling Extramedullary Hematopoiesis: A Case Report Highlighting the Causes, Symptoms, and Management Strategies”
by Konstantinos Manganas, Aikaterini Xydaki, Angeliki Kotsiafti, Olympia Papakonstantinou and Sophia Delicou
Thalass. Rep. 2024, 14(2), 26-32; https://doi.org/10.3390/thalassrep14020004

“Inhibitors of Immune Checkpoints: Small Molecule- and Peptide-Based Approaches”
by Natalie Fuchs, Longfei Zhang, Laura Calvo-Barreiro, Katarzyna Kuncewicz and Moustafa Gabr
J. Pers. Med. 2024, 14(1), 68; https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm14010068

“Vaccine-Induced Immune Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia: Clinicopathologic Features and New Perspectives on Anti-PF4 Antibody-Mediated Disorders”
by Yi Zhang, Anna-Lise Bissola, Jared Treverton, Michael Hack, Mark Lychacz, Sarah Kwok, Addi Arnold and Ishac Nazy
J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(4), 1012; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13041012

“Immune Response to Respiratory Viral Infections”
by Antonella Gambadauro, Francesca Galletta, Alessandra Li Pomi, Sara Manti and Giovanni Piedimonte
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(11), 6178; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25116178

“Neutrophil Extracellular DNA Traps in Response to Infection or Inflammation, and the Roles of Platelet Interactions”
by William A. Chen and Danilo S. Boskovic
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(5), 3025; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25053025

“Host Immune Regulation in Implant-Associated Infection (IAI): What Does the Current Evidence Provide Us to Prevent or Treat IAI?”
by Zulipikaer Maimaiti, Zhuo Li, Chi Xu, Jun Fu, Li-Bo Hao, Ji-Ying Chen and Wei Chai
Bioengineering 2023, 10(3), 356; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering10030356

“Airborne Pollen Calendar of Toluca City, Mexico”
by Maria Cid del Prado, Osvaldo Zarco-Cid del Prado, Hilda Adriana Guerrero-Parra and Karla Elisa Juárez Contreras
Aerobiology 2023, 1(1), 54-69; https://doi.org/10.3390/aerobiology1010005

“Innovative Therapies and Management of Complications in Hemoglobinopathies”	“Peptide-Based Vaccines: An Efficient Alternative to Combat Infectious Diseases and Drug Resistance”
“Immunotherapy in the Management of Hematologic Malignancy”	“Feature Review for Applied Biosciences”
“Advances in Transfusion Medicine and Immunological Research”	“Advancements in Artificial Intelligence for Bioaerosol Detection, Characterization, and Modeling”

Conference: 21st Annual International Conference of the Metabolomics Society (Metabolomics 2025)
Date: 22–26 June 2025
Place: Prague Congress Centre, Prague, Czech Republic

MDPI will be attending the 21st Annual International Conference of the Metabolomics Society (Metabolomics 2025) as an exhibitor. This meeting will be held in Prague, Czech Republic, from 22 to 26 June 2025.

This conference is the official annual meeting of the Metabolomics Society and the largest metabolomics meeting worldwide. The major scientific themes of the conference will include metabolomics in health and disease; metabolomics of plants, food, environment, and microbes; technology advances in metabolomics; and computational metabolomics, statistics, and bioinformatics. Beyond the main topics, the conference will place a particular focus on the increasingly important role that metabolomics plays in fundamental biology research. The scientific program will include plenary and keynote talks, parallel scientific sessions, interactive poster sessions, sponsor lunches, and specially organized workshops.

The following MDPI journals will be represented at the conference:

• Metabolites;
• Cells;
• Marine Drugs;
• Proteomes;
• Current Issues in Molecular Biology;
• Nutrients;
• Biomolecules;
• International Journal of Molecular Sciences;
• Diabetology;
• Plants;
• Agronomy;
• Antioxidants;
• Applied Biosciences;
• Biomedinformatics;
• Diseases;
• Foods.

If you are planning to attend the above conference, please feel free to start 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 website: https://www.metabolomics2025.org/.

We are pleased to announce that International Journal of Molecular Sciences (IJMS, ISSN: 1422-0067) will be granting the Travel Award to junior scientists. The applications will be assessed by an Evaluation Committee consisting of senior scholars from the IJMS Editorial Board.

This award provides financial support for the winners to attend an international conference in the field of biochemistry, molecular biology, molecular biophysics, biomaterials, and molecular medicine to be held in 2026, in order to hold a presentation, present a poster, or both.

The winners will each be awarded CHF 800 and an electronic certificate.

Please submit your applications for the IJMS 2026 Travel Award online by 31 October 2025. The winners are announced by the end of December. For more information about the award, please visit the following link: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/ijms/awards/3182.

IJMS Editorial Office

The IJMS Young Investigator Award was established in 2017 to acknowledge the achievements of young investigators in the field of biochemistry, molecular biology, molecular biophysics, biomaterials, and molecular medicine. Nominations are accepted from April to December every year, with winners notified by the end of March the following year.

Prize:

• CHF 2000;
• An electronic certificate.

Number of winners: 3.

Eligibility and requirements:

• Must have received their Ph.D. no more than 10 years prior to 31 December 2025;
• Must have produced ground-breaking research and made a significant contribution to the advancement of any of the following research fields: biochemistry, molecular biology, molecular biophysics, biomaterials, or molecular medicine;
• Must be nominated by senior scientists.

List of documents for nomination:

• Detailed curriculum vitae, including an updated publication list and a list of the researcher’s own research grants;
• Scanned copy of doctorate certificate;
• Signed nomination letters from two established senior scientists.

Schedule:
Nomination deadline: 31 December 2025;
Winner announcement: 31 March 2026.

How to submit nominations:
The nominations must be submitted online at: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/ijms/awards/submit/3190.

Please do not hesitate to contact us at ijms@mdpi.com if you have any questions. We look forward to receiving your nominations.

IJMS Editorial Office

MDPI will attend the ISSCR 2025 Annual Meeting in Hong Kong, which will take place from 11 to 14 June 2025 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibit Centre, Hong Kong, China.

Globally recognised for its exceptional scientific program featuring the most compelling advances in stem cell biology, new technologies, and clinical applications, the ISSCR Annual Meeting is a catalyst for new advances at each point in the discovery and clinical translation continuum. Nearly 4,000 leading scientists from academia and industry are invited to this gathering of stem cell and regenerative medicine scientists worldwide—the largest gathering of its kind. Engage with the world’s pre-eminent thought leaders in the field, connect with key industry stakeholders and executives, and forge impactful new partnerships.

MDPI is excited to participate in this prestigious event. We welcome you to visit MDPI’s booth, where you will be able to have face-to-face exchanges with our representatives, learn more about our open access publishing services, and receive gifts.

The following MDPI journals will be represented:

• Biomedicines;
• Biomolecules;
• Cells;
• International Journal of Molecular Sciences;
• Current Issues in Molecular Biology;
• Organoids;
• Neurology International;
• Viruses;
• Emergency Care and Medicine.

If you plan to attend this 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://www.isscr2025.org/.

Authors are increasingly interested in having their papers published as cover stories in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences (IJMS, ISSN: 1422-0067). There were 24 cover stories published in 2024. These cover stories reported important research results or innovative methods and presented impressive images. To reward the authors who published their groundbreaking findings in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, we are announcing the IJMS 2024 Most Popular Cover Selection.

Five cover stories will be chosen from the stories published in 2024, and each will receive CHF 300. The criteria that will be considered for selection are as follows:

• Importance or innovation of research;
• Quality of cover image.

The voting will be open from 15 March 2025 to 15 April 2025.

Please cast your vote at the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/XFSRJ6T.

The winners will be announced on the journal website at the end of April 2025.

IJMS Editorial Office

Conference: The 13th Chinese National Conference on Chemical Biology
Date: 11–15 April 2025
Location: Changsha, China

MDPI will be attending the 13th Chinese National Conference on Chemical Biology as an exhibitor. The conference will be held from 11 to 15 April 2025. We welcome researchers from different backgrounds to visit and share their latest ideas with us.

The 13th Chinese National Conference on Chemical Biology (CNCCB 2025) is the largest and highest-caliber academic event in the field of chemical biology research in China, and an important gathering of scientific and technological workers who are engaged in research relating to chemical biology. The conference will focus on the recent achievements and progress made by Chinese chemical biology research and related disciplines, promote interdisciplinary exchange and innovation, and serve the national strategy of healthy China. The conference will invite recognized scholars from home and abroad to give presentations and is organized into eleven thematic sessions and four special forums to build a platform for academic exchange and the introduction of new talents in the field.

The following MDPI journals will be represented:

• IJMS;
• Proteomes;
• BioChem;
• CIMB;
• Biomolecules;
• Chemistry;
• Biomedicines;
• SynBio.

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 and answering any questions that you may have. For more information about the conference, please visit the following website: https://www.chemsoc.org.cn/meeting/CNCCB2025/.

MDPI is pleased to share a significant milestone in its mission to advance scholarly research and promote the dissemination of knowledge—300+ MDPI journals are now indexed in Web of Science (WoS). This milestone highlights the global recognition, interdisciplinary impact and enhanced visibility of our journals. It also reflects our adherence to rigorous editorial standards, scientific integrity, and our mission to foster open scientific exchange in all forms, across all disciplines. 

To explore the full list of our journals indexed in WoS, please visit https://www.mdpi.com/about/journals/wos. Beyond expanding the coverage of our publications in the leading academic databases, we are dedicated to ensuring that our journals are included in as many scope-specific databases as possible. This increases the visibility of our authors’ work and extends the reach of their significant data. 

This milestone would not have been possible without the efforts and expertise of our academic editors, reviewers and authors. Their commitment and collaboration have been instrumental in creating an inclusive, accessible, and impactful publishing platform. We also extend our gratitude to the global research community for their trust as we continue to break new ground in academic publishing. This milestone is not just a celebration of MDPI’s progress but also recognition of the collective strides made by researchers worldwide. 

As we celebrate this remarkable accomplishment, MDPI remains steadfast in its commitment to open access publishing and ensuring that high-quality research reaches and inspires a global audience.