Drug Design, Development and Therapy

Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Article Collection in Drug Design, Development and Therapy on "Advances in p53 Drug Discovery", organized by Dr. Andreas Joerger (Goethe University, Germany), Dr. Alexander Dömling (Palacky University in Olomouc, Czech Republic) and Editor-In-Chief Dr. Frank M. Böckler (Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Germany).

Often referred to as the "guardian of the genome", p53 plays an important role in maintaining cellular homeostasis by regulating and orchestrating cell cycle arrest, DNA repair, apoptosis, and senescence. Mutations in the TP53 gene which encodes p53, are found in a broad range of human cancers, leading to loss of its tumor-suppressive functions and contributing to cancer progression and metastasis. In addition, some gain-of-function (GOF) p53 mutants can acquire new oncogenic activities affecting genomic instability, metabolic reprogramming, and the tumor microenvironment, while promoting invasion, metastasis, and cancer cell proliferation. The complexity of p53's structure and function, particularly its role as a transcription factor and its interactions with a large number of cellular signaling pathways, has made it a challenging target for drug discovery. However, recent advances in structural biology, computational methods, and medicinal chemistry have opened new avenues for the development of drugs that can restore or enhance p53 function, offering hope for more effective cancer therapies. Furthermore, additional targets, such as MDM2/X, HAUSP, Cop-1, Pirh-2, Wip-1, PTEN, AKT, and Siah-1, could become points of therapeutic intervention, influencing p53 and its signaling and regulation network.

Playing a core role in tumor suppression, the ability to modulate p53 activity holds the potential to transform cancer treatment. The development of drugs that can restore the function of mutant p53 or enhance the activity of wild-type p53 is a critical area of research with significant implications for improving patient outcomes and survival rates in cancer.

To help raise the profile of this important area of research, Drug Design, Development and Therapy is publishing a timely Article Collection on p53 drug discovery. The Collection is led by Dr. Andreas Joerger, Prof. Dr. Alexander Dömling, and the Editor in Chief, Prof. Dr. Frank Böckler. 

Potential topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Structural and Molecular Biology of p53 Elucidating its Therapeutic Value
• Small Molecule Modulators of Targets Involved in p53 Signalling and Regulation
• Rescue of Loss-of-function Mutant p53 or Restraint of Gain-of-function Mutant p53
• p53-targeted Gene / Immune Therapies
• Clinical Translation of p53-based Therapies
• Challenges and Future Directions

Please submit your manuscript on our website, using the promo code XITLT for 20% off the advertised article processing charge and to indicate that your manuscript will be considered for the “Advances in p53 Drug Discovery” Collection. We will be welcoming relevant papers up until the 30th of September 2026. Please review the journal’s aims and scope and author submission instructions prior to submitting a manuscript.

Please contact Haoyang Yi (Commissioning Editor) at [email protected] with any queries regarding this Article Collection. 

Guest Advisors

Dr. Andreas Joerger, Goethe University

[email protected]

Andreas C. Joerger obtained his doctoral degree from the University of Freiburg, Germany in 2000. He then assumed a postdoc position in the group of Prof. Sir Alan Fersht at the Medical Research Council (MRC) Centre for Protein Engineering in Cambridge, United Kingdom, initially working on protein design. He stayed on as a senior scientist in structural biology until 2010, before moving to the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge (2010-2015). During his long spell at the MRC, he made key contributions towards unraveling the complex structural biology of the tumor suppressor p53 and related proteins. He determined the first crystal structures of p53 cancer mutants, which led to the Y220C mutant being used as a paradigm for the development of mutant p53 rescue drugs based on protein stabilization. In 2016, Dr. Joerger joined the group of Prof. Stefan Knapp at the Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry at Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main. Since 2018, he is Principal Investigator on p53 drug discovery and transcriptional regulation at the Structural Genomics Consortium (SGC) Frankfurt. His other research interests include the evolutionary history of the p53 pathway, protein design, epigenetic targets and E3 ubiquitin ligases. 

Dr. Alexander Dömling, Palacky University in Olomouc

[email protected]

Alex Dömling studied Chemistry & Biology at the Technische Universitat Munchen (TUM). He performed his Ph.D. with Ivar Ugi and his postdoc – funded by a Feodor Lynen stipend from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation – with double Nobel Laureate Barry Sharpless. After his habilitation at TUM, he became a professor at the University of Pittsburgh, then chair of the Department of Drug Design at the University of Groningen, and most recently ERA Chair at Palacky University. He also started several biotech companies. He is the author of over 300 publications and over 70 patent applications. His current lab works according to the mantra ‘Automation + Miniaturization = Acceleration’ on the ERC-funded project of engineering an autonomous drug discovery platform called AMADEUS.

Alexander Dömling is a world-renowned researcher in the area of miniaturization, automation of synthetic chemistry, and multicomponent reaction chemistry. Professor Dömling applies multicomponent reaction chemistry to solve problems in drug discovery and related areas. Notably, he introduced the Acoustic Droplet Ejection technology platform to perform precise high throughput synthetic chemistry and demonstrated its applicability to multiple different chemistries and chemical biology projects.

Dr. Frank M. Böckler, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen

[email protected]

At the Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Frank Böckler heads the laboratory of Molecular Design & Pharmaceutical Biophysics, which combines Chemical Biology, Molecular and Structural Biology and Biophysics, as well as Computational Chemistry, Machine Learning and Molecular Design. In addition, he is a member of the Institute for Bioinformatics and Medical Informatics (IBMI). In 2004, he received his Ph.D. in Medicinal Chemistry with summa cum laude at Friedrich-Alexander University in Erlangen (Germany). Joining Prof. Sir Alan R. Fersht as a postdoc at the MRC Center for Protein Engineering in Cambridge/UK, he discovered p53 mutant stabilizers as potential new cancer therapeutics. In 2008, he was appointed Professor (W2tt) for Bioanalytics at Ludwig-Maximilians University (LMU) Munich, before moving to Tübingen in 2010 as a full professor. His work is dedicated to understanding molecular interactions, such as halogen and chalcogen bonds, as the foundation for chemical biology and drug discovery and to apply theoretical, fragment-based, biophysical, and structural methods to cancer research, particularly involving the human kinome and the network of the tumor suppressor p53.

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Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Article Collection in Drug Design, Development and Therapy on "Exploring Fragment-Based Approaches in Drug Discovery", organized by Prof. Anna K. H. Hirsch (Saarland University, Germany), Dr. Walid A. M. Elgaher (Saarland University, Germany), Prof. Oliver Koch (Universität Münster, Germany) and Editor-In-Chief, Prof. Frank M. Böckler (Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Germany).

With the emergence of fragment-based drug discovery (FBDD), the field of drug discovery has undergone significant changes. Unlike traditional high-throughput screening techniques, FBDD is based on identifying low molecular weight compounds (fragments) with a low affinity to the biological target. These initial fragment hits are then developed into drug-like molecules through a range of techniques, including fragment merging, growing, and linking, to produce a lead with a higher affinity.

FBDD has the capacity to streamline the drug discovery process by initiating a bottom-up process of combining fragments with high ligand efficiencies. Structural insights from X-ray crystallography have fostered hopes that fragments with strong local interaction networks could be extended to target a wider binding site, often boosting the affinity substantially. The method not only increases the probability of identifying active compounds compared to random screening but also allows an in-depth exploration of the chemical and biological space surrounding these fragments. In 2024, 52 fragment-derived candidates had made it to different phases of clinical studies (phase 1–3), while seven drugs (Asciminib, Capivasertib, Erdafitinib, Pexidartinib, Sotorasib, Vemurafenib, and Venetoclax) have already been approved. This highlights the great relevance and potential of this approach for drug discovery.

To help raise the profile of this important area of research, Drug Design, Development and Therapy is publishing a timely Article Collection on fragment-based drug discovery. The Collection is led by Prof. Anna K. H. Hirsch, Dr. Walid A. M. Elgaher, Prof. Oliver Koch, and Editor in Chief, Prof. Frank M. Boeckler.

Potential topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Advancements in Fragment Screening Techniques
• Specialized Fragment-Libraries and Library Design
• Structural Biology and Fragment-Based Design
• Chemical Biology and Fragment Evolution
• Case Studies and Success Stories
• Challenges and Future Directions

Please submit your manuscript on our website, using the promo code SODHO for 20% off the advertised article processing charge and to indicate that your manuscript will be considered for the “Advances in p53 Drug Discovery” Collection. We will be welcoming relevant papers up until the 31st of October 2026. Please review the journal’s aims and scope and author submission instructions prior to submitting a manuscript.

Please contact Haoyang Yi (Commissioning Editor) at [email protected] with any queries regarding this Article Collection.

Guest Advisors

Prof. Dr. Anna K. H. Hirsch, Saarland University, Germany

[email protected]

Anna Hirsch read Natural Sciences with a focus on Chemistry at the University of Cambridge and spent her third year at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, doing a research project with Prof. Timothy Jamison. She carried out her Master’s research project in the group of Prof. Steven V. Ley at the University of Cambridge. She received her Ph.D. from the ETH Zurich in 2008 and worked on the de novo structure-based design and synthesis of inhibitors for an anti-infective target enzyme in the group of Prof. François Diederich. Subsequently, she joined the group of Prof. Jean-Marie Lehn at the Institut de Science et d’Ingénierie Supramoléculaires (ISIS) in Strasbourg as an HFSP postdoctoral fellow, before taking up a position as assistant professor at the Stratingh Institute for Chemistry at the University of Groningen in 2010 where she was promoted to associate professor in 2015. In 2017, she moved to the Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), where she heads the department for drug design and optimization. Her work focuses on anti-infective drug design by adopting rational approaches such as structure- and fragment-based drug design in combination with the target-guided strategies dynamic combinatorial chemistry and kinetic target-guided synthesis. 

Dr. Walid A. M. Elgaher, Saarland University, Germany

[email protected]

Dr. Walid A. M. Elgaher studied Pharmacy at Assiut University (Egypt). He was awarded a scholarship from the German academic exchange service (DAAD) for doctorate study in Germany. In 2016, he got his Ph.D. in Medicinal Chemistry under the supervision of Prof. Rolf W. Hartmann, Saarland University. He then returned to Egypt and was appointed as a Lecturer of Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry at the Faculty of Pharmacy, Assiut University. In 2017, he joined the group of Prof. Anna K. H. Hirsch as a postdoctoral fellow at HIPS, and since 2024 has been a habilitand at Saarland University. His work focuses on the application of modern drug design approaches tackling un(der)exploited therapeutic targets and the use of biophysical and computational techniques for drug discovery and optimization. 

Prof. Dr. Oliver Koch, Universität Münster, Germany

[email protected]

Oliver Koch is Heisenberg-Professor of Computational Drug Discovery at the Institute of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, University of Münster. His interests lie in the development and application of computational methods in rational drug design with focus on ‘big data’ driven decisions and artificial intelligence combined with fragment- and structure-based design. The methods are applied to develop bioactive molecules and to understand selectivity, promiscuity and polypharmacology of protein-ligand interactions. In an interdisciplinary way, the in-silico work is combined with biochemical evaluation, x-ray crystallography and preparative organic synthesis. He received his Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Chemistry in 2007 at Philipps-University Marburg in the group of Gerhard Klebe and also completed a postgraduate program computer science with focus on machine learning and data science. He worked as a postdoc at CCDC in Cambridge/UK and afterwards for MSD Animal Health Innovation GmbH, Schwabenheim, Germany. In 2012, he became an Independent Junior Group Leader of „In-silico Medicinal Chemistry“ at Technical University Dortmund, Germany. From 2019-22 he was Independent Group Leader for “Computational Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Design” at University of Münster, where he became a Heisenberg-Professor for Computational Drug Discovery in 2022. 

Prof. Dr. Frank M. Böckler, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen

[email protected]

At the Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Frank Böckler heads the laboratory of Molecular Design & Pharmaceutical Biophysics, which combines Chemical Biology, Molecular and Structural Biology and Biophysics, as well as Computational Chemistry, Machine Learning and Molecular Design. In addition, he is a member of the Institute for Bioinformatics and Medical Informatics (IBMI). In 2004, he received his Ph.D. in Medicinal Chemistry with summa cum laude at Friedrich-Alexander University in Erlangen (Germany). Joining Prof. Sir Alan R. Fersht as a postdoc at the MRC Center for Protein Engineering in Cambridge/UK, he discovered p53 mutant stabilizers as potential new cancer therapeutics. In 2008, he was appointed Professor (W2tt) for Bioanalytics at Ludwig-Maximilians University (LMU) Munich, before moving to Tübingen in 2010 as a full professor. His work is dedicated to understanding molecular interactions, such as halogen and chalcogen bonds, as the foundation for chemical biology and drug discovery and to apply theoretical, fragment-based, biophysical, and structural methods to cancer research, particularly involving the human kinome and the network of the tumor suppressor p53.

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Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Article Collection in Drug Design, Development and Therapy on "New Trends in Formulations for Oral Inhalation", organized by Prof. Eleonore Fröhlich (Medical University of Graz, Austria) and Dr. Sarah Zellnitz-Neugebauer (Research Center Pharmaceutical Engineering GmbH, Austria).

Inhalation is a promising, noninvasive method of delivering active pharmaceutical ingredients to the lungs. It can achieve high local and systemic concentrations in a short amount of time. However, oral inhalation poses problems as well. Formulating some drugs in high enough amounts, delivering large molecules as stable aerosols, and generating particles of the optimal size (1-5 µm) are challenges. Additionally, inconsistent absorption due to differences in patient anatomy and physiology can lead to less predictable topical and systemic drug levels. The potential of systemic treatment by oral inhalation has not been fully realized. The thin air-blood barrier poses a risk of lung damage, and biocompatibility may be an issue.

The prevalence of chronic pulmonary diseases is increasing worldwide due to an aging population, delayed diagnosis, and air pollution. The prevalence of communicable pulmonary diseases remains a significant global health challenge. The incidence of tuberculosis has peaked due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, and pneumonia continues to cause high mortality rates. Engineered dry powders, co-formulations, improved targeting methods (e.g., mucoadhesion), innovative carrier systems (e.g., exosomes), and new therapeutic agents (e.g., biologics) offer opportunities for improved pulmonary treatment. It is also important to understand which anatomical or physiological patient properties may influence drug efficacy and toxicity.

This Collection is interested in tools that may improve the success of orally inhaled formulations in clinics, including new drug particles, targeted delivery approaches, fixed dose combinations, and innovative carriers or drug delivery techniques. This also includes in silico tools that can identify promising drug formulations or predict efficacy and toxicity in patients. Additionally, studies that can explain interpatient differences in pulmonary formulations, and any methods that increase the efficiency of pulmonary delivery are welcome. Further, there is room for a more precise assessment of the biocompatibility and long-term effects of pulmonary formulations.

Please submit your manuscript on our website, using the promo code 0EB1F to indicate that your manuscript will be considered for this Collection. We will be welcoming relevant papers up until the 31st of May 2026. Please review the journal’s aims and scope and author submission instructions prior to submitting a manuscript.

Please contact Haoyang Yi (Commissioning Editor) at [email protected] with any queries regarding this Article Collection.

Guest advisors

Prof. Eleonore Fröhlich, Medical University of Graz

[email protected]

Eleonore Fröhlich is a biochemist and medical doctor with specialization in anatomy, histology, and embryology. She is affiliated with the Medical University of Graz (Director of the Core Facility Imaging, 2007–2024), the Eberhard-Karls University Tübingen (Extraordinary Professor since 2007), and the Research Center Pharmaceutical Engineering (Key Researcher since 2013). Her research activities started with studies on the retina, skin cancer, and thyroid disease at the University of Tübingen. Since the 2010s, her research has focused on the toxicological effects of nano- and microparticles, particularly those inhaled, at the Center for Medical Research in Graz. 

Dr. Sarah Zellnitz-Neugebauer, Research Center Pharmaceutical Engineering GmbH

[email protected]

Sarah Zellnitz-Neugebauer is a pharmacist by training. During her PhD at the Graz Technical University (AT) she focused on glass beads as new model carries in dry powder inhalers (DPIs) and gained expertise in particle engineering via surface modification and detailed material characterization. She currently holds the position of Senior Scientist at the Research Center Pharmaceutical Engineering (RCPE) in Graz (AT). Meanwhile, her work centers on tailoring DPI formulations via mechanistic understanding of the interplay of material properties, formulation properties, adhesive-cohesive force balance and drug detachment. Recently, she also took up the field of co-processing of API combinations for inhalation therapy.

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Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Article Collection in Drug Design, Development and Therapy on "Next-Generation Treatments for Depression: From Novel Compounds to Optimized Use of Available Drugs", organized by Dr. Vassilis Martiadis (Local Health Authority Napoli 1 Centro, Italy) and Dr. Domenico De Berardis (Local Health Authority Teramo, Italy).

Depression is one of the most prevalent and debilitating mental health conditions worldwide. It encompasses a range of clinical presentations, from unipolar major depression to bipolar depression. Furthermore, despite the wide availability of pharmacological treatments, many patients fail to achieve remission. In recent years, there has been a surge in research into novel pharmacological agents, ranging from rapid-acting antidepressants to drugs that target previously unexplored neurobiological mechanisms. At the same time, repurposing established compounds or optimizing existing treatment strategies has opened up new avenues of therapy, particularly for patients with treatment-resistant forms of depression. This article collection aims to explore the full range of emerging pharmacological treatments for depressive disorders.

The need for more effective, individualized pharmacological treatments for depression is greater than ever before. The expansion of pharmacotherapeutic options, including NMDA receptor modulators, multimodal antidepressants and novel mood stabilizers, has introduced promising alternatives to conventional monoaminergic approaches. Additionally, combining therapies or re-evaluating established medications through novel dosing regimens or indications has demonstrated initial efficacy in challenging patient groups. This collection invites studies that critically evaluate the efficacy, safety, mechanisms of action and clinical application of these emerging treatments for unipolar and bipolar depression, including treatment-resistant forms.

We welcome submissions covering a wide range of topics related to the pharmacological treatment of depression. These topics include, but are not limited to, novel antidepressants, glutamatergic agents, fast-acting compounds, polypharmacy strategies, pharmacogenetics and augmentation or combination therapies. We encourage submissions that address both clinical and translational research, as well as systematic reviews, meta-analyses and real-world evidence studies. Particular emphasis will be placed on research related to treatment-resistant and bipolar depression, and on the repositioning of known compounds in new therapeutic contexts. Accepted article types include original research articles, review articles, brief reports and case series.

Please submit your manuscript on our website, using the promo code B3D62 to indicate that your manuscript will be considered for this Collection. We will be welcoming relevant papers up until the 31st of May 2026. Please review the journal’s aims and scope and author submission instructions prior to submitting a manuscript.

Please contact Haoyang Yi (Commissioning Editor) at [email protected] with any queries regarding this Article Collection.

Guest advisors

Dr. Vassilis Martiadis, Local Health Authority Napoli 1 Centro

[email protected]

Dr. Vassilis Martiadis is a psychiatrist and researcher with a strong focus on treatment-resistant depression, psychopharmacology, and personalized mental health care. He collaborates on various national and international projects exploring novel therapeutic strategies for mood disorders. He has authored over 50 peer-reviewed publications (h-index: 23). 

Dr. Domenico De Berardis, Local Health Authority Teramo

[email protected]

Dr. Domenico De Berardis is a psychiatrist with extensive clinical and academic experience in mood disorders and psychopharmacology. He collaborates with the University of Chieti-Pescara and L'Aquila, and is Visiting Professor at Samara State Medical University. He has authored over 220 peer-reviewed publications (h-index: 47). His expertise focuses on innovative pharmacological approaches to depression.

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Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Article Collection in Drug Design, Development and Therapy on "‘Digital Drugs’ for Musculoskeletal Pain: From Evaluation Tools to Rehabilitation and Therapy Solutions", organized by Prof. Giacomo Farì (University of Salento, Italy) and Prof. Andrea Bernetti (University of Salento, Italy).

Musculoskeletal (MSK) pain represents a major global health challenge, contributing to significant disability and reduced quality of life. Conventional therapeutic approaches often fail to fully address the complex biopsychosocial dimensions of chronic pain, leading to the need for innovative, integrative strategies. In recent years, the concept of "Digital Drugs" has emerged, referring to digital health solutions that modulate pain perception through technology-driven interventions. These include virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), mobile health applications, and biofeedback devices, which can reduce pain and enhance function without pharmacological side effects. By complementing classical pharmacotherapy, these digital therapeutics offer a more holistic approach to pain management, addressing both physical and psychological aspects of chronic pain. Furthermore, "Digital Drugs" provide advanced tools for evaluating pain-related behaviors and functional impairments in real-time, enabling personalized rehabilitation protocols through remote monitoring and adaptive feedback. This integrative model holds promise for optimizing musculoskeletal pain management by combining assessment, therapy, and patient engagement in a comprehensive, technology-enhanced care pathway.

Effective pain management is crucial for improving quality of life, especially in individuals suffering from chronic or complex pain conditions such as mixed pain syndromes. Traditional pharmacological treatments alone sometimes fail to fully address the multifaceted nature of chronic pain, which involves not only nociceptive and neuropathic components but also nociplastic mechanisms. Integrating multimodal approaches—such as physical therapy, psychological support, neuromodulation, and complementary therapies—provides a more comprehensive and patient-centered strategy. Notably, the combination of digital therapeutics with classical pharmacotherapy has the potential to address one of the most pressing challenges in pain management: reducing opioid reliance. By offering alternative methods to manage pain effectively, "Digital Drugs" can help mitigate the risks associated with opioid use, including dependence and adverse side effects. Addressing the biopsychosocial aspects of pain can help prevent long-term disability, reduce healthcare costs, and foster innovation in therapeutic protocols, encouraging personalized care and evidence-based clinical practice.

This Collection aims to highlight innovative approaches in the treatment, rehabilitation, and evaluation of musculoskeletal pain. Submissions of original articles and systematic reviews are encouraged on emerging strategies such as personalized pain management, integrative rehabilitation protocols, digital therapeutics, neuroplasticity-driven interventions, and advances in biomechanical and functional assessment tools. Particular interest lies in research exploring the interplay between musculoskeletal pain and psychosocial factors, as well as the implementation of remote and AI-assisted rehabilitation systems. Studies utilizing novel imaging, wearable sensors, and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) to enhance clinical evaluation are also welcome. Additionally, research focusing on the integration of digital therapeutics with classical pharmacotherapy to optimize treatment outcomes and improve patient care is highly encouraged. By addressing these topics, the Collection seeks to advance the understanding and application of innovative, technology-enhanced solutions for musculoskeletal pain management.

Please submit your manuscript on our website, using the promo code 8E84E to indicate that your manuscript will be considered for this Collection. We will be welcoming relevant papers up until the 31st of July 2026. Please review the journal’s aims and scope and author submission instructions prior to submitting a manuscript.

Please contact Haoyang Yi (Commissioning Editor) at [email protected] with any queries regarding this Article Collection.

Guest advisors

Prof. Giacomo Farì, University of Salento

[email protected]

Medical Doctor, Specialized in Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine; PhD in Sport Sciences; Adjunct Professor at the University of Salento, Lecce, Italy.

Prof. Andrea Bernetti, University of Salento

[email protected]

Medical Doctor, Full Professor of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine at the Department of Experimental Medicine – University of Salento, Lecce, Italy; General Secretary of the Italian Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine.

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Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Article Collection in Drug Design, Development and Therapy on "Sol Gel-Based Hybrid Materials in Drug Delivery and Biotherapeutic Stabilization", organized by Dr. Chinmay S. Potnis (Duke University, US) and Prof. Gautam Gupta (University of Louisville, US).

The development of advanced drug delivery systems is essential for improving the efficacy and shelf-life of sensitive biomolecules, including proteins, peptides, and nucleic acids. Among emerging technologies, sol gel-derived hybrid materials, particularly silica-based matrices, have gained prominence as versatile platforms for therapeutic stabilization and delivery. These materials offer mild synthesis conditions, tunable porosity, and excellent biocompatibility, allowing for the gentle encapsulation and sustained release of bioactive agents. The inorganic-organic hybrid nature imparts both structural integrity and customizable functionality, making sol gels highly adaptable for diverse pharmaceutical applications, from gene delivery to biologic preservation.

This area of research is vital, due to the inherent instability and degradation risks associated with many biologics, which can limit their therapeutic use. Sol gel materials create protective microenvironments that safeguard biomolecules while enabling site-specific and sustained delivery. Their design flexibility allows for the inclusion of targeting ligands and stimuli-responsive elements, advancing the frontiers of nanomedicine and personalized treatment. This collection highlights breakthroughs in sol gel technologies that translate to meaningful therapeutic improvements and clinical relevance.

We welcome original research articles, reviews, expert opinions, commentaries, and clinical studies aligned with the journal's scope. Topics may include sol gel synthesis and characterization, strategies for encapsulating biomolecules and small molecules, development of bioresponsive or targeted sol gels, and nanomedicine formulations. Manuscripts demonstrating translational outcomes such as in vitro and in vivo efficacy, safety profiles, and manufacturability are especially encouraged. This Collection aims to foster interdisciplinary contributions that integrate material science with drug design and therapeutic application.

Please submit your manuscript on our website, using the promo code CB47D to indicate that your manuscript will be considered for this Collection. We will be welcoming relevant papers up until the 31st of October 2026. Please review the journal’s aims and scope and author submission instructions prior to submitting a manuscript.

Please contact Haoyang Yi (Commissioning Editor) at [email protected] with any queries regarding this Article Collection.

Guest advisor

Dr. Gautam Gupta, University of Louisville

[email protected]

Dr. Gautam Gupta is Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering. His research focuses on electrochemistry, sol gel encapsulation for biomolecules, wastewater treatment, and perovskite solar cells. Funding to support his research comes from a range of federal agencies and industrial sponsors, including NSF, NIH, DOE, EPRI and LG&E. Dr. Gupta has published extensively, has two patents, and has submitted another six research disclosures.

Dr. Chinmay S. Potnis, Duke University

[email protected]

Dr. Chinmay Potnis is a Postdoctoral Associate at Duke University with a strong background in formulation development, drug delivery, and organic synthesis. His current work focuses on designing and evaluating novel excipients to improve the stability and delivery of small-molecule drugs and nucleic acids. Through the use of silica-based sol-gels, he has developed innovative encapsulation strategies that enable controlled release and protection under stress conditions. With additional expertise in mechanistic organic synthesis, he bridges molecular design with advanced formulation approaches. He is passionate about creating scalable, real-world solutions for complex drug delivery challenges.

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Dove Medical Press is pleased to invite you to submit your research to an upcoming Article Collection in Drug Design, Development and Therapy on "Nanotechnology in Drug Delivery for Neurodegenerative Diseases", organized by Dr. Pravin Hivare (University of Utah, US).

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs), including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), and Huntington’s disease (HD), are marked by progressive neuronal loss, resulting in severe cognitive and motor impairments. According to the World Health Organization, AD alone affects over 50 million people globally, with projections suggesting this number could triple by 2050. Current treatments are limited in efficacy, primarily due to the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which restricts the entry of most therapeutic agents into the brain. Furthermore, the complex pathophysiology of NDs necessitates innovative approaches for developing effective disease-modifying therapies.

Nanotechnology offers a promising solution to overcome the challenges posed by the BBB. Nanoparticles (1–100 nm), nanomaterials, and DNA-based devices with specific properties such as size, shape, and surface modifications can facilitate targeted drug delivery to the brain. Nanocarriers like liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, and dendrimers enhance drug solubility and stability, enabling controlled release, minimizing side effects. Recent advances demonstrate nanotechnology’s potential to deliver diverse therapeutics, including small molecules and gene therapies, revolutionizing treatment for neurodegenerative diseases.

This Article Collection aims to showcase cutting-edge research and promote interdisciplinary collaboration in nanotechnology for drug delivery in NDs. We invite submissions on a variety of topics, including but not limited to: novel nanocarrier design and synthesis, strategies to enhance BBB penetration, in vitro and in vivo evaluation of nanotech-based therapies, clinical translation and trials, safety and toxicity assessments, and emerging fields such as theranostics and personalized nanomedicine. We welcome original research articles, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, clinical trial reports, and perspective pieces that detail the development process of nanotech-based drug delivery systems, from initial design to clinical application. By consolidating the latest research, this collection seeks to accelerate the translation of innovative therapies into clinical practice, ultimately improving outcomes for patients with neurodegenerative diseases.

Please submit your manuscript on our website, using the promo code 975F1 to indicate that your manuscript will be considered for this Collection. We will be welcoming relevant papers up until the 30th of April 2026. Please review the journal’s aims and scope and author submission instructions prior to submitting a manuscript.

Please contact Haoyang Yi (Commissioning Editor) at [email protected] with any queries regarding this Article Collection.

Guest advisor

Dr. Pravin Hivare, University of Utah, US

[email protected]

Dr. Pravin Hivare is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Neurology at the University of Utah, where he investigates the molecular mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases using advanced techniques like RNA sequencing, rodent models, and microscopy. His expertise in bionanomaterials, including DNA-based nanodevices, nanomaterials, and hydrogels, supports innovative therapeutic strategies. Dr. Hivare has published extensively in high-impact journals, contributing to neuroscience and drug delivery advancements.

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