International Journal of Molecular Science 2015's Best Paper Award.

The International Journal of Molecular Science has previously granted [1,2,3], and is continuing with our practice of granting, annual awards to recognize outstanding papers in the area of chemistry, molecular physics and molecular biology published in its journal.

We are therefore pleased to announce the “International Journal of Molecular Science Best Paper Award” for 2015. Nominations were made by the Editorial Board Members chosen from all papers published in 2011. The awards are issued to reviews and research articles separately. We proudly reveal the following eight papers that have been chosen:

Research Article Award:

First Prize

Toni Safner, Mark P. Miller, Brad H. McRae, Marie-Josée Fortin and Stéphanie Manel

Comparison of Bayesian Clustering and Edge Detection Methods for Inferring Boundaries in Landscape Genetics

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2011, 12(2), 865–889; doi:10.3390/ijms12020865

Available online: http://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/12/2/865

“This study evaluates different techniques available for identifying clusters and boundary detection within populations. It nicely demonstrates the potential of Bayesian spatial clustering algorithms.”

“While somewhat specialized, this study can have valuable practical utility in understanding where geographic edges lie between subspecies.”

“The sheer breadth of the data, significance of conclusions and usefulness of results to other researchers.”

Second Prize

Thomas Schlorf, Manuela Meincke, Elke Kossel, Claus-Christian Glüer, Olav Jansen and Rolf Mentlein

Biological Properties of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Cellular and Molecular Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2011, 12(1), 12–23; doi:10.3390/ijms12010012

Available online: http://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/12/1/12

“The article investigated the uptake of different Iron oxide nanoparticles (wrt size, composition, coating), retention and location in the cell, and their ability to be detected by MRI. This paper was well written and will be of use to people working in the area of metal oxide nanoparticle research.”

“Usefulness of results to MRI research and possibly clinical uses.”

Juan C. Garro Martinez, Pablo R. Duchowicz, Mario R. Estrada, Graciela N. Zamarbide and Eduardo A. Castro

QSAR Study and Molecular Design of Open-Chain Enaminones as Anticonvulsant Agents

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2011, 12(12), 9354–9368; doi:10.3390/ijms12129354

Available online: http://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/12/12/9354

“This paper presents an interesting development of models for prediction of antiepileptic activity of some enaminones.”

“The paper inscribes in the nowadays open issue of modeling ringed vs. open-chain molecular behavior, intuitively yet also computationally emphasizing on the last instance, in binding with receptor sites towards reliable mechanistic QSARs.”

“Of use to researchers and good data, i.e., ED50 exp. vs. ED50 pred Figures. 3,4”

Third Prize

Haider Raza, Subbuswamy K. Prabu, Annie John and Narayan G. Avadhani

Impaired Mitochondrial Respiratory Functions and Oxidative Stress in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2011, 12(5), 3133–3147; doi:10.3390/ijms12053133

Available online: http://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/12/5/3133

“May contribute to better understand the etiology of diabetes and may lead to development of new therapeutic methods.”

Antonio Iannitelli, Rossella Grande, Antonio Di Stefano, Mara Di Giulio, Piera Sozio, Lucinda Janete Bessa, Sara Laserra, Cecilia Paolini, Feliciano Protasi and Luigina Cellini

Potential Antibacterial Activity of Carvacrol-Loaded Poly(dl-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) Nanoparticles against Microbial Biofilm

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2011, 12(8), 5039–5051; doi:10.3390/ijms12085039

Available online: http://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/12/8/5039

“This paper presents an innovative nanoparticle-based approach to disrupting biofilms, a major challenge in biomedicine.”

Review Award:

Alba Fernández-Sánchez, Eduardo Madrigal-Santillán, Mirandeli Bautista, Jaime Esquivel-Soto, Ángel Morales-González, Cesar Esquivel-Chirino, Irene Durante-Montiel, Graciela Sánchez-Rivera, Carmen Valadez-Vega and José A. Morales-González

Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, and Obesity

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2011, 12(5), 3117–3132; doi:10.3390/ijms12053117

Available online: http://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/12/5/3117

“A very comprehensive review on obesity, an inflammatory condition which represents a major risk factor for a number of chronic diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and cancer.”

“This is a very important topic, the authors did a nice job in reviewing it in an interesting way”

“This is a comprehensive review of the literature on obesity especially in regards the effects adipokines play in regards modulating oxidative stress and immunity in the host. This review article is one that will be used as a reference source for those working in obesity research.”

“This Review presents a very well-considered discussion of the complex interrelationship of obesity and inflammation. An excellent starting point for anyone interested in the underlying causes of obesity-related inflammation.”

“This Review provides a very clear and thorough overview of an area of research that is increasingly important. The authors convey the multifactorial nature of the factors that influence obesity and the review helps explain how our lifestyle is intimately linked with the obesity problem in industrialised countries and why weight loss is so difficult.”

“Good descriptions of factors related to obesity in Abstract, Fig. 1 and Conclusions and weight loss with nutritional and drug treatments.”

Maryam Moravej and Diego Mantovani

Biodegradable Metals for Cardiovascular Stent Application: Interests and New Opportunities

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2011, 12(7), 4250–4270; doi:10.3390/ijms12074250

Available online: http://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/12/7/4250

“This review that describes the recent advances in biodegradable metallic stents, is of high quality and high impact.”

“This review gives a relatively complete overview of the recent developments in metallic materials for biodegradable stents.”

“This study on biodegradable stents is well-written annd has the potential for wide applicability. It is of broad relevance and may lead to very useful advances in medical science.”

“Fascinating discussion of biodegradable cardiovascular stents. But I am surprised at the lack of toxicity (in animals) and the degradation rate needs to be worked out.”

Giuseppe Vasapollo, Roberta Del Sole, Lucia Mergola, Maria Rosaria Lazzoi, Anna Scardino, Sonia Scorrano and Giuseppe Mele

Molecularly Imprinted Polymers: Present and Future Prospective

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2011, 12(9), 5908–5945; doi:10.3390/ijms12095908

Available online: http://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/12/9/5908

“This review is very interesting, because the topic covered is of great importance. It is written in a clear manner, and the citation of references is exhaustive.”

“This is a forward-looking review in an area likely to develop a lot in the next few years.”

“Molecular imprinting technology seems throughly described and presented.”

We believe that these eight exceptional papers are valuable contributions to the International Journal of Molecular Science and the scientific research field. On behalf of the Prize Awarding Committee and the Editorial Board of International Journal of Molecular Science, we would like to congratulate these teams for their excellent work. In recognition of their accomplishment, Dr. Stéphanie Manel, Dr. Rolf Mentlein, Dr. Juan C. Garro Martinez, Dr. Haider Raza and Dr. Antonio Di Stefano will receive a prize of 1000 CHF, 600 CHF, 600 CHF, 400 CHF and 400 CHF, respectively, and the privilege of publishing an additional paper free of charge in open access format in the International Journal of Molecular Science, after the usual peer-review procedure. Dr. José A. Morales-González, Dr. Diego Mantovani and Dr. Giuseppe Vasapollo will receive the privilege of publishing an additional research article free of charge in open access format in the International Journal of Molecular Science, after the usual peer-review procedure.

Prize Awarding Committee