Fungal Physiology and Biotechnology in Aquatic Ecosystems: Diversity, Ecology, and Molecular Insight

Background



Fungi are key components of aquatic ecosystems, inhabiting marine and freshwater environments where they fulfill diverse ecological roles and exhibit unique physiological adaptations. These habitats, ranging from deep-sea sediments to freshwater lakes and river systems, present a spectrum of physical and chemical challenges. In response, aquatic fungi have evolved specialized metabolic traits, stress tolerance mechanisms, and structural adaptations, making them promising models for ecological study and biotechnological exploitation.

Despite increasing attention to marine fungi, large segments of aquatic fungal diversity, especially in freshwater ecosystems, remain unexplored. Many aquatic fungi are still uncultured or poorly characterized, yet they likely harbor novel enzymes, secondary metabolites, and biosynthetic pathways adapted to life in water-dominated environments. Such molecules have potential applications in bioremediation, pharmaceuticals, material sciences, and industrial biotechnology.



There is a growing need to better understand the functional biology of aquatic fungi across scales, from molecular regulation to ecosystem-level roles. Insights into their physiology, genomics, and metabolic networks can not only expand our ecological understanding but also inspire new innovations in synthetic biology and sustainable bioprocessing.



Goal



This Research Topic aims to collect cutting-edge research focused on the diversity, ecology, physiology, and molecular biology of fungi in aquatic ecosystems, specifically marine and freshwater environments. We welcome studies that shed light on how fungi adapt to aquatic conditions, contribute to biogeochemical processes, and offer potential for biotechnological development.



Emphasis will be placed on novel fungal taxa, functional traits, omics-based discoveries, and synthetic biology tools adapted for aquatic fungal systems. This Topic aims to bridge ecological and applied perspectives to deepen our understanding and utilization of aquatic fungal biodiversity.



Scope and information for Authors



We invite submissions on topics including, but not limited to:

• Discovery and taxonomy of fungi in marine and freshwater environments

• Functional genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics of aquatic fungi

• Novel physiological traits and stress adaptations in aquatic fungal systems

• Enzymes and metabolites from aquatic fungi with industrial or pharmaceutical potential

• Applications of aquatic fungi in bioremediation, biorefinery, or green chemistry

• Development of synthetic biology platforms using marine or freshwater fungal strains

• Ecological interactions and roles of fungi in aquatic food webs and nutrient cycles

All article types are welcome. Interdisciplinary contributions that integrate field ecology, molecular biology, systems biology, and applied biotechnology are particularly encouraged.