Symposium on Biotechnology, we would like to remind you that the postponed symposium BIOTECH 2020 organized by our university in collaboration with the Czech Biotechnology Society and Swiss partners will occur as announced previously from June 16th till June 18th 2021, but in a virtual formate due to the Covid pandemic. More information is available at www.biotech2020.cz.

Special Issue "Quo Vadis Cancer Research? On Molecular Mechanisms and Drug Discovery"

Dear Colleagues,

In cancer research, an immense amount of interdisciplinary information has already been gathered over the decades. The remaining gaps in the knowledge on cancer diseases at the cellular and molecular levels are being filled on a daily basis as novel research methods and novel anticancer drugs emerge. In addition, using old and already-approved drugs for different indications, such as cancer, has recently gained increased attention from the scientific community in so-called drug repurposing. Moreover, there is also a very common concept of developing compounds with multiple functionalities—from combining diagnostics with therapy (theranostics) to specific targeting, and photodynamic therapy to immunogenic cell death induction. All of these approaches will hopefully enable the early detection of cancer and combating of this disease with minimal side-effects.

The aim of this Special Issue “Quo Vadis Cancer Research? On Molecular Mechanisms and Drug Discovery” is to underline the advances and the most recent discoveries and progress in all fields of science dealing with cancer; its molecular substance; known, and also possible, synthetic and semisynthetic inhibitors; their structure–activity relationships; in silico modeling; theranostics; cancer biomarkers; and beyond. Original full research articles as well as review articles on this topic from research groups all over the world are welcome in order to disseminate the scientific knowledge in these uneasy times of SARS-CoV-2. Researchers working in the fields of cancer research, imaging, drug discovery and related disciplines are encouraged to publish their recent findings in this Special Issue of the International Journal of Molecular Sciences.

Dr. Silvie Rimpelová
Guest Editor

Special Issue "Advanced Functional Materials for Biomedicinal Applications"

Dear Colleagues,

Biomaterials, engineered substances that interact with biological systems with applications in medicine, have been in the spotlight recently, since there has been enormous progress in the field of materials itself. Therefore, this Special Issue focuses on recent progress and novel trends in (bio)material science. Special attention will be devoted to biomaterials with advanced functions and unique properties applicable in medicine and biology but also as tools for research.

This Special Issue “Advanced Functional Materials for Biomedicinal Applications” will underline the most recent discoveries and progress in all fields of science related to advanced materials with possible applications in medicine and biology. This Special Issue will focus particularly on, but not be limited to, cell culture, tissue engineering, drug delivery, antimicrobial activity, material characterization, bioimaging, and bioactivity. Reviews, regular research articles, and short communications on this topic are invited from research groups from all over the world to encourage the dissemination of scientific knowledge through this open-access journal. Researchers working in the field of biomaterials and related disciplines are encouraged to publish their recent findings in this Special Issue of Materials.

Dr. Silvie Rimpelová
Guest Editor

Special Issue "Natural Product-Inspired Molecules: From Weed to Remedy"

Dear Colleagues,

Natural products and semi-synthetic compounds inspired by these molecules have recently regained increased attention by the scientific community. Based on a great structural and chemical diversity of natural products and related compounds, they have become valid sources for drug leads documented by, e.g., the fact that 60% of chemotherapeutic agents originate from natural products, mainly medicinal plants. However, natural products do not play the forefront role only in anticancer agents, but they also help to combat microbial infections and inflammatory diseases. Moreover, nowadays, there is a very common concept to use natural products also as starting material for semi-synthesis of novel compounds with improved properties. The semi-synthesis enables researchers not only to fine-tune the desired activities but also to create multimodal and theranostic compounds.

The aim of this Special Issue, “Natural product-inspired molecules: from weed to remedy,” is to underline the most recent discoveries and progress in all fields of science dealing with natural products of all sources and related semi-synthetic compounds with the main emphasis on chemistry, semi-synthesis, isolation, identification, chemical characterization, structure-activity relationship, imaging properties, in silico modeling, bioactivity, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antimicrobial potential, synergic effects, but also beyond. Original full research articles as well as review articles on this topic from research groups all over the world are welcome in order to disseminate the scientific knowledge in these uneasy times of SARS-Cov-2. Researchers working in the field of natural products and related disciplines are encouraged to publish their recent findings in this Special Issue of Molecules.

Dr. Silvie Rimpelova
Guest Editor