Reviews in Biophysics 2026: Linking Molecular Mechanisms to Complex Biological Systems

Biophysics applies physical principles and quantitative approaches to understand biological structure, dynamics, interactions, and function across molecular, cellular, and organismal scales. Rapid advances in structural biology, spectroscopy, imaging, single-molecule methods, molecular simulation, artificial intelligence, and multiscale modelling are expanding what can be investigated. Yet important questions remain about how molecular mechanisms give rise to cellular and tissue-level behaviours, how findings from different methods can be reconciled, and where evidence remains incomplete or contested. Reviews that critically synthesise research across experimental, theoretical, and computational approaches can help clarify current understanding and identify priorities for further investigation.This Research Topic aims to bring together accessible, critical reviews of developments across the biophysics community and all four sections of Frontiers in Biophysics: Coacervates and Biological Condensates, Mechanotransduction and Mechanobiology, Membrane Pores, Channels, and Transporters, and Protein Structure and Dynamics. We welcome contributions that evaluate current evidence, compare methods and interpretations, identify unresolved questions, and discuss emerging directions for the field.The Research Topic welcomes work across these four sections, while submissions should fit the scope of the relevant section. To gather further insights across biophysics, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:Molecular structure, dynamics, folding, and conformational transitionsProtein, nucleic acid, lipid, and other biomolecular interactionsMembrane biophysics, pores, channels, transporters, and cellular interfacesBiomechanics, mechanobiology, mechanotransduction, and force generationCellular and tissue-scale organisation and dynamicsBioenergetics, transport, and biological self-organisationCoacervates, phase separation, biomolecular condensates, and active biological materialsSingle-molecule and quantitative imaging approachesStructural, computational, theoretical, and integrative biophysicsMolecular simulations, multiscale modelling, and artificial intelligenceProtein structure, dynamics, folding, allostery, and macromolecular assembliesBiophysical approaches to disease mechanisms and therapeutic developmentNovel biophysical technologies and analytical methodsAppendix — Article types: Review, Mini Review, and Systematic Review. Topic editors: Parjit Kaur, Anne Hinderliter, Dr. Sagar Bag, Parkson Lee-Gau Chong, Jean-Baptiste Manneville Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/86386/reviews-in-biophysics-2026-linking-molecular-mechanisms-to-complex-biological-systems