Call for Book Chapters
Publisher: Springer/Elsevier - To Be Confirmed
🗓️ Important Dates
- Chapter Proposal Submission Deadline: [May 15, 2025]
- Notification of Proposal Acceptance: [May 15, 2025]
- Full Chapter Submission Deadline: [July 30, 2025]
- Peer Review and Feedback: [August 30, 2025]
- Final Chapter Submission: [September 25, 2025]
- Expected Publication Date: [December 2025]
🌿 About the Book
Nature has long served as a prolific source of bioactive compounds for therapeutic use. However, the classical paradigms of natural product drug discovery are now being revolutionized by the convergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI), multi-omics technologies (genomics, metabolomics, transcriptomics), and nanotechnology. This interdisciplinary transformation is opening unprecedented avenues to explore untapped natural resources—particularly from marine environments—and overcome traditional limitations such as compound complexity, low yield, and poor drug-likeness.
This edited volume, "Next-Generation Natural Product Drug Discovery: Integrating AI, Omics, and Nanotechnology", will present a comprehensive, timely, and forward-thinking collection of chapters from global experts that reflect the cutting edge of this fast-evolving field. It aims to act as a reference guide and intellectual platform to inspire new research, methodologies, and applications for accelerating the path from natural sources to effective therapeutics.
🔬 Scope and Key Themes
We invite contributions (reviews, perspectives, and methodological advances) that address, but are not limited to, the following thematic areas:
Foundations of Natural Product-Based Drug Discovery
Chapter 1: Rediscovering Nature: The Timeless Relevance of Natural Products in Modern Drug Discovery*
*[Registered: Author - Akash K]
Theme: This chapter explores the enduring importance of natural products as a foundation for drug discovery, revisiting classical examples while contextualizing their renewed significance in light of modern scientific challenges, antibiotic resistance, and the search for novel therapeutics. It sets the stage for how nature remains an unparalleled source of structurally diverse and biologically active compounds.
Chapter 2: Bottlenecks and Breakthroughs: Challenges and Opportunities in Natural Product Screening*
*[Registered: Author - Vijiya Bharathi]
Theme: Focusing on the critical hurdles in the natural product discovery pipeline, this chapter discusses limitations such as compound complexity, rediscovery rates, and screening inefficiencies. It also presents emerging breakthroughs—like high-throughput platforms and automation—that are reshaping how researchers overcome these longstanding obstacles.
Chapter 3: From Ethnobotany to AI: The Evolving Paradigm of Natural Product Utilization
Theme: This chapter traces the transformation of natural product research from traditional ethnobotanical approaches to data-driven methods powered by artificial intelligence. It highlights the synergy between ancient knowledge systems and cutting-edge computational tools in identifying, validating, and optimizing bioactive compounds.
Artificial Intelligence in Natural Product Research
Chapter 4: AI-Driven Molecule Mining: Revolutionizing Bioactive Compound Identification
Theme: Exploring how AI and machine learning algorithms are transforming the discovery of bioactive compounds from natural sources by enabling rapid pattern recognition, molecular property prediction, and lead prioritization.
Chapter 5: Predictive Modeling and Virtual Screening of Natural Products Using Machine Learning
Theme: Focuses on ML-based in silico techniques that simulate molecular interactions and bioactivity, accelerating the screening and selection of potential drug candidates from vast chemical libraries.
Chapter 6: Deep Learning for Structure-Activity Relationship (SAR) Analysis in Natural Compounds
Theme: Explores how deep neural networks are used to uncover complex relationships between molecular structure and biological activity, improving the rational design of more potent derivatives.
Chapter 7: Data Curation and Knowledge Graphs in Natural Product Research
Theme: Highlights the role of structured data, semantic technologies, and knowledge graphs in organizing, linking, and analyzing complex natural product datasets for AI-driven discovery.
Omics-Enabled Insights in Natural Product Discovery
Chapter 8: Genomics-Guided Bioprospecting: Mining Biosynthetic Gene Clusters*
*[Registered: Author - Sherene Jenita Rajammal]
Theme: Describes the application of genomics and genome mining tools to identify and harness biosynthetic gene clusters responsible for the production of novel secondary metabolites.
Chapter 9: Metabolomics in Natural Product Profiling: Tools, Pipelines, and Case Studies
Theme: Covers state-of-the-art metabolomics platforms used for identifying and quantifying natural products in complex biological matrices, supported by real-world applications.
Chapter 10: Proteomics-Driven Target Identification of Bioactive Natural Compounds*
*[Registered: Author - Vikaash M]
Theme: Explains how proteomics technologies are utilized to identify protein targets of natural compounds, elucidate mechanisms of action, and discover therapeutic pathways.
Chapter 11: Integrated Multi-Omics Approaches in the Discovery of Complex Natural Product Pathways*
*[Registered: Author - Sathyaraj D]
Theme: Discusses the synergistic integration of genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics to decode complex biosynthetic networks and enhance natural product discovery.
Nanotechnology and Delivery Systems
Chapter 12: Nano formulations of Natural Products: Enhancing Bioavailability and Targeted Delivery*
*[Registered: Author - Kavya S]
Theme: Explores the development of nanoparticle-based delivery systems to improve the solubility, stability, and targeted release of poorly bioavailable natural compounds.
Chapter 13: Smart Nanocarriers for Site-Specific Drug Release of Natural Bioactive
Theme: Highlights innovative nanocarriers responsive to environmental triggers (e.g., pH, temperature) for precise delivery of natural therapeutics to disease sites.
Chapter 14: Nano-Bio Interfaces: Unveiling Mechanisms of Natural Products at the Nanoscale
Theme: Delves into how interactions at the nano-bio interface influence the pharmacokinetics, cellular uptake, and mechanism of action of natural product-based nanomedicines.
Chapter 15: Green Nanotechnology Using Natural Products: Sustainable Synthesis and Applications*
*[Registered: Author - Arun Kumar S]
Theme: Showcases eco-friendly nanomaterial synthesis using plant extracts and microbial agents, emphasizing sustainability, biocompatibility, and applications in therapeutics.
Marine-Derived Natural Products
Chapter 16: Exploration of Marine Microorganisms for Novel Compounds*
*[Registered: Author - Celcia Gnana Rathinam]
Theme: Focuses on the bioprospecting of marine microbes—especially extremophiles and symbionts—for structurally unique and pharmacologically potent natural products.
Advanced Strategies and Platforms
Chapter 17: CRISPR and Synthetic Biology in Engineering Natural Product Biosynthesis*
*[Registered: Author - Dhivyadharshiny R]
Theme: Explores how CRISPR and synthetic biology tools are revolutionizing the reprogramming of biosynthetic pathways to enhance or create novel natural compounds.
Chapter 18: Lab-on-a-Chip and Microfluidics for High-Throughput Natural Product Screening
Theme: Covers miniaturized, high-throughput screening technologies that allow rapid analysis of natural product libraries with reduced sample consumption and faster turnaround.
Chapter 19: Quantum Computing in Drug Design: A Frontier for Natural Product Research
Theme: Introduces quantum computing applications in simulating molecular interactions and optimizing drug-like natural products with unparalleled speed and accuracy.
Chapter 20: Digital Twins and Systems Biology in Modelling Natural Compound Behaviour in Human Systems
Theme: Describes the use of digital twin models and systems biology to simulate and predict how natural compounds interact with complex human biological networks.
Future Directions and Translational Perspectives
Chapter 21: Translating Discovery to Drugs: Regulatory, Ethical, and Commercialization Challenge
Theme: Examines real-world barriers to turning natural product discoveries into approved drugs, including regulatory hurdles, IP issues, scalability, and ethical considerations.
Chapter 22: Roadmap to the Future: Challenges, Opportunities, and Strategic Directions
Theme: Provides a forward-looking perspective on how cross-disciplinary integration, technology advancement, and global collaboration will shape the next era of natural product drug discovery.
📌 Note to Contributing Authors
While a list of suggested chapter titles and themes has been provided to guide contributions, authors are welcome to propose original chapter topics that fall within the overall scope of the book.
All proposed chapters should align with the core themes of the volume, namely:
- Natural product-based drug discovery
- Integration of AI, omics technologies, and nanotechnology
- Innovations in screening, identification, delivery, and biosynthesis of bioactive natural compounds
- Translational or future-oriented perspectives in natural therapeutics
Chapters offering novel insights, interdisciplinary approaches, or cutting-edge technologies relevant to the advancement of this field are especially encouraged.
📄 Chapter Contributor Registration Form
Chapter Proposal Submission Deadline: [May 10, 2025]
For the Edited Book:
Next-Generation Natural Product Drug Discovery: Integrating AI, Omics, and Nanotechnology
Please fill in the details below to register your intent to contribute a chapter to this volume.