BMC Biology is calling for submissions to our Collection on the biology of neurodegenerative diseases. This Collection aims to bring together multidisciplinary knowledge to better understand the mechanisms driving progressive neuronal dysfunction and loss.

We welcome studies investigating key pathological mechanisms, including protein misfolding and aggregation, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial disorders, dysfunction of cellular protein sorting and degradation, altered RNA metabolism, blood-brain barrier impairment, brain vascular dysfunction, contribution of extracellular vesicles and synaptic dysfunction. Research exploring intracellular transport disruptions, neuronal network alterations, and genetic or epigenetic contributions to neurodegeneration is also encouraged.

We are particularly seeking submissions that employ state-of-the-art approaches, such as multi-omics, electrophysiology, high-resolution imaging, (induced) pluripotent stem cell-derived model systems, (e.g. microfluidics 2D co-culture, organoids and assembloids), and animal models to gain deeper mechanistic insights into neurodegenerative processes and identify potential therapeutic targets.

This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being.

All manuscripts submitted to this journal, including those submitted to collections and special issues, are assessed in line with our editorial policies and the journal’s peer review process. Reviewers and editors are required to declare competing interests and can be excluded from the peer review process if a competing interest exists.

BMC Biology is calling for submissions for the Collection on small RNA structure and regulation. Small RNAs, including microRNAs (miRNAs), small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), piwi interacting small RNAs and tRNA-derived small RNAs are crucial regulators of gene expression in a variety of biological processes. These short, non-coding RNAs play a significant role in transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation, influencing pathways that govern development, differentiation, and cellular responses to environmental stimuli. As they are involved in the modulation of gene silencing and regulatory networks, understanding their structure and function is essential for elucidating their contributions to cellular homeostasis, host-microbe interactions, and disease.

Research in small RNA biology has made significant strides in recent years, unraveling the complexities of small RNA pathways, their biogenesis and their regulatory functions across different species. Advances in multiple cutting-edge technologies, including high-throughput sequencing, massively parallel enzymatic assays, Cryo-EM, and computational tools such as artificial intelligence, have facilitated the identification and characterization of novel small RNAs across diverse organisms. These technologies have also enabled the exploration of detailed and exciting mechanisms of small RNA pathways at cellular, molecular, and atomic levels on a large scale. Furthermore, studies on miRNA functions in various cellular and organismal contexts have deepened our understanding of their roles in health and disease. These developments underscore the importance of continued research into small RNA mechanisms to unlock their therapeutic potential.

As research in this field progresses, we anticipate breakthroughs that could revolutionize our understanding of regulation of gene expression involving small RNAs. Future studies may uncover novel small RNA species, elucidate their roles in complex regulatory networks, and inform innovative therapeutic strategies for diseases linked to dysregulated small RNA pathways.

Potential topics for submission include, but are not limited to:

Mechanisms of small RNAs biogenesis

Structural insights into small RNAs

Epigenetic modifications regulating small RNAs

Functional genomics of small RNAs

Roles of RNA-binding proteins in shaping small RNA function

Mechanisms of miRNA and siRNA regulation

Cross-talk between different small RNA pathways

Gene expression regulatory networks involving small RNAs

Advanced methods for small RNA sequencing, analysis and gene target prediction

Extracellular small RNAs: secretion mechanisms and potential functions

Therapeutic potential and applications of small RNA

All manuscripts submitted to this journal, including those submitted to collections and special issues, are assessed in line with our editorial policies and the journal’s peer review process. Reviewers and editors are required to declare competing interests and can be excluded from the peer review process if a competing interest exists.