Vanadium Biochemistry II – Highlights from the 14th International Vanadium Symposium

In this Research Topic, we aim to highlight examples of vanadium science as it applies to Chemical Biology, focusing on vanadium chemistry discussed at the 14th International Vanadium Symposium (Osaka, Japan, 2026). This is the second edition in a series of Research Topics linked to the International Vanadium Symposium, continuing to showcase advances and emerging directions in the field. We encourage readers to consult the first edition for additional context and complementary contributions. This interdisciplinary field has implications for biological and medicinal processes, offering insights into the potential therapeutic uses of vanadium compounds and the impact of vanadium on living organisms.Vanadium biochemistry is a fascinating and evolving field of research that explores the role of vanadium compounds in biological systems. Continued research in this area holds promise for addressing health-related challenges and advancing our understanding of the roles of metals in biology. Representative aspects of its importance include: its insulin-enhancing properties by resulting in blood glucose lowering; its anti-cancer properties; its role in cell signaling, since vanadium compounds can modulate protein phosphorylation and gene expression; its antioxidant properties, which are of interest in the context of various diseases, including neurodegenerative disorders; its toxicology, especially in the context of occupational settings and environmental pollution; and its effects on reactive oxygen species (ROS) and other redox reactions in electron transfer processes in enzymes and proteins.We invite contributions that present interdisciplinary approaches blending synthetic chemistry, chemical biology, and advanced biological techniques, including (but not limited to) the following topics:• Vanadium’s insulin-enhancing properties by resulting in blood glucose lowering• Vanadium’s anti-cancer properties• Vanadium’s anti-parasitic properties• Vanadium in neurodegenerative disorders• Vanadium’s role in signal transduction and cell signaling, since vanadium compounds can modulate protein phosphorylation and gene expression • Vanadium’s antioxidant properties, which are of interest in the context of various diseases• Vanadium’s toxicology, especially in context of biological systems, occupational settings and environmental pollution• Vanadium’s effects on reactive oxygen species (ROS) and other redox reactions in electron transfer processes in enzymes and proteinsThis collection focuses on vanadium chemistry and its growing importance in chemical biology, and it was initiated in connection with the 14th International Vanadium Symposium. We also welcome submissions from researchers in biological chemistry and related areas who work on the proposed topics. Topic editors: Toshiyuki Moriuchi, Isabel Correia, Craig C. McLauchlan Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/77334/vanadium-biochemistry-ii---highlights-from-the-14th-international-vanadium-symposium