Nucleic acids are well known to have functions of preservation, transfer, and expression of genetic information. In addition, they can act as enzymes and specific binders in different processes of gene expression, as seen in ribozymes and riboswitches. The functions of nucleic acids can be modified and expanded using rational design and random screening methods. Furthermore, random screening method involving engineered genetic information systems can provide a novel class of peptides/proteins having nonnatural chemical structures, which is expected to enhance activities and confer additional functions. These artificially created biomolecules can be applicable to biosensors, diagnostic agents, and therapeutic drugs.

We invite authors to submit original research and review articles describing recent advances in creating the aforementioned biomolecules and their applications. We are particularly interested in articles that use chemical and evolutionary approach to develop functional nucleic acids and peptides/proteins. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

• Recent developments in methodologies for rational design, for example, chemically modified antigene/antisense nucleic acids, and siRNAs and miRNAs
• Recent developments in methodologies for random screening, for example, in vitro selection of ribozymes, aptamers, aptazymes, peptides, and proteins
• Correlation analysis of structures, thermodynamics, and functions
• Unique features of unusual functions and their applications
• Insertion of foreign groups and the effects on improvement and diversification of functions
• Combinatorial design using multiple functional modules
• In cell/in vivo applications toward bioanalysis and biomedicine