IUBMB Journal Highlights | March 2025

We are excited to highlight new research from the IUBMB Journals: IUBMB Life, BioFactors, Biotechnology and Applied Biochemistry, and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education.

Please also consider submitting your own research to the IUBMB Journals. You can expect to work with distinguished Editorial Board members and benefit from worldwide circulation and readership through our publishing partnership with Wiley. For more information about the journal and submissions, feel free to peruse the IUBMB journals website.

For now, please enjoy highlights of our recent content. Happy reading!

IUBMB Life
New Issue: Volume 77, Issue 3

The cGAS-STING-related signature affects the prognosis of colorectal cancer through its regulation of multiple immune cells

Li Y, Jiang X, Cao H, Wu X, Zhang H, Ma H, et al. The cGAS-STING-related signature affects the prognosis of colorectal cancer through its regulation of multiple immune cells. IUBMB Life. 2025; 77(3):e70009.

The cGAS-STING signaling pathway plays a key role in the immune response against colorectal adenocarcinoma (COAD). This study explores its impact on COAD prognosis by analyzing gene mutations, copy number variations, DNA methylation, and gene expression using multi-omics data from TCGA and GEO databases. Key genes, including CASP8 and RIPK1, were assessed for their prognostic significance, and core genes—NLRC3, CASP1, AIM2, and CXCL10—were validated through tissue analysis. A prognostic model linking these genes to poor tumor outcomes via immune cell infiltration was developed, offering insights for cancer immunotherapy and precision medicine.

—

SPECIAL ISSUES OPEN FOR SUBMISSION

• Special Issue on Computational Biology in Identification of Potential Biomarkers for Cancer Immunotherapy
  • Deadline for Submissions: 31 July 2025

CALL FOR PAPERS – SPECIAL ISSUES PROPOSALS

IUBMB Life solicits proposals for special issues relevant to the mission of our journal in the field of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Structural Biology and Molecular Medicine and pertinent areas. This is an open call for Special Issue Proposals, and all submissions will be reviewed in a timely manner. We will provide streamlined editorial support and assistance to the special issue guest editors.

Application Process

Prospective guest editor(s) need to complete the Special Issue Proposal Form available online and submit it to adaragshet@wiley.com, together with the CV(s) of the proposed guest editor(s). Please state “IUBMB – SI proposal submission” in the subject line of your submission email.

A special issue proposal should include the following content:

• A short title that can clearly describe the scope of special issue;
• A short introduction about the significance of the special issue;
• Basic information and CV of Lead Guest Editor and Co-Guest Editors;
• List of potential authors and their tentative article titles;
• The estimated number of submissions;
• Proposed timeline.

Please visit the journal homepage for more information.

---

BioFactors
New Issue: Volume 51, Issue 2

Spatial and single-cell transcriptomic analysis reveals fibroblasts dependent immune environment in colorectal cancer

Jia H, Liu X, Wang G, Yu Y, Wang N, Zhang T, et al. Spatial and single-cell transcriptomic analysis reveals fibroblasts dependent immune environment in colorectal cancer. BioFactors. 2025; 51(2):e70012

Colorectal cancer (CRC) has a complex tumor microenvironment influenced by cancer-associated fibroblasts. This study used single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptomics to analyze fibroblast heterogeneity in CRC. Key genes (BGN, CERCAM, TRIP6, and TIMP1) were identified as prognostic markers, with consensus clustering stratifying patients into three molecular subtypes. Cluster C, linked to poor outcomes, exhibited both immune activation and immunosuppressive features. Functional validation showed that BGN and CERCAM promote CRC cell proliferation and metastasis. These findings highlight fibroblasts’ role in CRC progression and suggest BGN and CERCAM as potential immunotherapy targets for precision treatment.

—

BIOFACTORS EDITOR’S CHOICE VIRTUAL ISSUE: HIGHLIGHTING TOP PAPERS FROM 2023-2024

BioFactors has recently launched a virtual issue – Editor’s Choice (2023-2024) – featuring a curated selection of high-interest papers published during 2023-2024.

Explore these noteworthy contributions today!

—

CALL FOR PAPERS

• Unlocking the Secrets of Lipocalins: Navigating Their Role in Cell Communication and Signalling
  • Submission deadline: Thursday, 31 July 2025
• The Role of Fermented Foods in Nutrition and Health
  • Submission deadline: Thursday, 31 July 2025

CALL FOR SPECIAL ISSUE PROPOSALS

BioFactors solicits proposals for special issues relevant to the mission of our journal in the field of biological factors and pertinent areas. This is an open call for Special Issue Proposals, and all submissions will be reviewed in a timely manner. We will provide streamlined editorial support and assistance to the special issue guest editors.

Application Process

Prospective guest editor(s) need to complete the Special Issue Proposal Form (downloadable from the BioFactors’ homepage) and submit it to adaragshet@wiley.com, together with the CV(s) of the proposed guest editor(s). Please state “BIOF – SI proposal submission” in the subject line of your submission email.

A special issue proposal should include the following content:

• A short title that can clearly describe the scope of special issue.
• A short introduction about the significance of the special issue.
• Basic information and CV of Lead Guest Editor and Co-Guest Editors.
• List of potential authors and their tentative article titles.
• The estimated number of submissions.
• Proposed timeline.

Please visit the journal homepage for more information.

---

Biotechnology and Applied Biochemistry
New Issue: Volume 72, Issue 1

Chitosan-enhanced sensitivity of mercaptoundecanoic acid (MUA)- capped gold nanorod based localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) biosensor for detection of alpha-synuclein oligomer biomarker in parkinson’s disease

Apaydın BB, Çamoğlu T, Canbek Özdil ZC, Gezen-Ak D, Ege D, Gülsoy M. Chitosan-enhanced sensitivity of mercaptoundecanoic acid (MUA)- capped gold nanorod based localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) biosensor for detection of alpha-synuclein oligomer biomarker in parkinson’s disease. Biotechnol Appl Biochem. 2025; 72: 150–163.

Alpha-synuclein oligomers play a crucial role in the early diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease (PD). In this study, a mercaptoundecanoic acid (MUA)-capped gold nanorod (GNR)-coated and chitosan (CH)- immobilized fiber optic probe has shown considerable sensitivity of its detection. The proposed U-shaped fiber optic biosensor based on localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) was applied to detect α-syn oligomer (OA) biomarker. By analyzing OA concentrations, the biosensor achieved a limit of detection of (LOD) 11 pM within the concentration range of 10–100 pM and the sensitivity value was found as 502.69 Δλ/RIU. Upon analysis of the CV% (coefficient of variation) and accuracy/recovery values, it is revealed that the sensor successfully fulfilled the criteria for success, displaying accuracy/recovery values within the range of 80%–120% and CV% values below 20%. This sensor presents significant advantages, including high sensitivity, specificity, and ability to detect very low concentrations of OA. In conclusion, the suggested U-shaped fiber optic biosensor has the potential to be valuable in the early detection of PD from a clinical perspective.

CALL FOR PAPERS

Emerging Techniques and Technologies in Healthcare

The purpose of the special issue is to decipher the importance of ground-breaking techniques incorporated in cellular and molecular biology and embrace AI augmented healthcare delivery system. The convergence of these scientific innovations would help translational research reach new heights in the future generation.

Topics for this call for papers include but are not restricted to:

• Importance of Emerging Techniques and Technologies in Health Research
• Genetics and Genomics in Healthcare Research
• Application of Proteomics in Healthcare Research
• Technological Advancements in Cell Biology for Health Research
• Artificial Intelligence in Transforming Medicinal Practice
• Machine Learning and Deep Learning in Healthcare
• Molecular techniques in Disease Detection
• Biochemical parameters for disease detection
• Infectious Disease and Mitigation
• Stem Cell Therapeutics
• Ethical Concerns in Artificial Intelligence Mediated Healthcare Delivery

Deadline for Submissions: 15 May 2025

Guest Editors: Dr. Debasmita Bhattacharya, Institute of Engineering and Management, India; Dr. Dibyajit Lahiri, University of Engineering & Mangement, Kolkata, India; Assoc. Prof. Edinur Hisham Atan, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia; Prof. Mojgan Rezvani, Durham College, Canada.

---

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education
New Issue: Volume 53, Issue 2

Improving the learning experience in an undergraduate course on microbial metabolism by using an illustrated story

McKinlay JB, Kearns K. Improving the learning experience in an undergraduate course on microbial metabolism by using an illustrated story. Biochem Mol Biol Educ. 2025; 53(2): 131–141.

In the classroom, metabolism is often approached and received as a mundane exercise in memorization. Teaching metabolism also faces the challenge of negative perceptions that can impede learning. We sought to improve the learning experience in an undergraduate lecture course on microbial metabolism by implementing an illustrated story that follows an Escherichia coli cell during a cholera outbreak. Feedback from students, compiled over four semesters of relatively minimal intervention, suggests that attitudes improved. Most students also thought that storytelling helped them learn. Exam scores suggested that the story could have had a positive performance impact for some questions that required students to apply correct details to specific situations. Our results suggest that a story could improve the learning experience in a course on a traditionally unpopular topic by both improving emotional responses to the subject matter and by providing a familiar framework upon which to contextualize details.

---

Did you know? Wiley and Jisc have signed an agreement that allows UK authors to publish Open Access in the IUBMB Journals at no cost to them.

Thanks to a partnership our publisher Wiley has signed with Jisc, certain UK institutions now have full access to journals published by Wiley, including the IUBMB Journals. Further, the partnership enables authors at participating UK institutions to publish open access at no cost to them in the IUBMB Journals. Payment of the associated Article Publication Charges (APC) would be covered via the partnership, and authors will not need to cover the APCs from their own pockets.

Wiley has also signed similar agreements with universities in Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, Norway, Hungary, Finland, Sweden, and with the US-based OhioLink And VIVA. A comprehensive list of our funder agreements can be found here.

Submit your research to the IUBMB Journals today.

---

Molecular Aspects of Medicine

Aspects of Molecular Medicine