New frontiers in sulfur and selenium chemical biology

The themed issue “New Frontiers in Sulfur and Selenium Chemical Biology” (edited by Kate S. Carroll, Curr. Opin. Chem. Biol., 2024) highlights emerging advances in the chemistry and biology of sulfur- and selenium-containing biomolecules. Across a series of invited reviews, leading researchers explore how these chalcogens govern redox signaling, enzyme catalysis, and cellular adaptation to stress. The issue emphasizes mechanistic parallels and contrasts between cysteine and selenocysteine, advances in chemical probe and proteomic technologies, and new insights into sulfur and selenium trafficking, metabolism, and therapeutic targeting. Carroll’s editorial frames these contributions within the rapidly evolving field of redox chemical biology—where precision tools now enable visualization and manipulation of reactive sulfur and selenium species in living systems. Collectively, the issue defines the state of the art in chalcogen biochemistry and outlines key challenges for harnessing their chemistry in health and disease.