Guest Editors

Prof. Wenyi Kang

National R & D Center for Edible Fungus Processing Technology, Henan University

E-mail: kangweny@hotmail.com

Prof. Ke-Wu Zeng

School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University

E-mail: ZKW@bjmu.edu.cn

 Dr. Zhenhua Liang

National R&D Center for Edible Fungus Processing Technology, Henan University

E-mail: liangzhenhua1998@hotmail.com

Submission Guidelines

• Manuscript Type: New Targets for Food-derived Compounds (please select this article type during submission).
• Submission Deadline: December 1, 2026
• Expected Publication Date: September 30, 2027
• Online Submission System: https://mc03.manuscriptcentral.com/fshw
• Editorial Office Email: fshw@foodsci.cn

Description

We are living in a golden era of deep convergence between food science and life sciences. As global attention to healthy diets and precision nutrition reaches unprecedented heights, the paradigm of scientific research is undergoing profound transformation. For a long time, we have recognized that active compounds in vegetables, fruits, grains, herbs, and other foods (e.g., polyphenols, polysaccharides, alkaloids, terpenes) confer significant health benefits, including antioxidant, anti‑inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and protective effects against metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases. However, much of this research remains at the macroscopic “phenomenon–effect” level. The core scientific question—how food‑derived compounds exert their actions (through which molecular targets and signaling pathways)—remains largely unanswered.

“Targets” are the bridges that link compounds to biological effects and the keys to unlocking their mechanisms of action. Elucidating the direct molecular targets of food‑derived compounds not only provides solid scientific evidence for their health benefits but also opens new avenues for the development of functional foods, the design of personalized nutrition strategies, and even drug discovery. In recent years, rapid advances in chemical biology, proteomics, gene‑editing technologies, and especially AI‑driven data analytics have equipped us with systematic, high‑throughput tools to discover and validate these hidden targets within complex biological systems.

In this context, Food Science and Human Wellness is pleased to announce a forthcoming 2027 Special Issue entitled “Identification of New Targets for Food-derived Compounds.” The core aim of this Special Issue is to establish a high‑level academic platform that focuses on the entire pipeline of molecular target discovery and validation for food‑derived compounds. We encourage the submission of original research that not only identifies novel targets but also deeply elucidates their biological functions and regulatory mechanisms.

The scope of the Special Issue includes, but is not limited to:

• Discovery and Identification of Novel Targets: Utilizing innovative experimental techniques or computational methods to identify direct or indirect molecular targets of food-derived compounds among proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and other biological macromolecules.
• Mechanisms of Compound-Mediated Target Regulation: From both structural and cellular functional perspectives, deeply analyzing how food-derived compounds modulate target functions and elucidating the underlying molecular mechanisms.
• Functional Validation and Physiological Relevance of Targets: Through cellular models, organoids, animal models, etc., confirming the pivotal role of novel targets in mediating the biological effects of food-derived compounds and assessing their impact on physiological or pathological processes.
• Target‑Oriented Translational Applications: Based on validated targets, exploring their potential in the development of functional foods, disease prevention and therapy, and the discovery of lead compounds for drug development.

The Special Issue will particularly emphasize interdisciplinary research that integrates chemistry, biology, pharmacology, computational science, materials science, and other fields, as well as original work that offers substantial theoretical innovation or translational promise.

Keywords

Food-derived compounds; Novel targets; Mechanism of action; Functional foods