The kingdom of fungi encompasses a diverse array of organisms including soil saprotrophs, plant symbionts, airborne species, and macromycetes, many of which possess the ability to invade the human body. Interestingly, pathogenic fungi often share key ecological traits that are instrumental in infection, such as osmotolerance, melanization, thermotolerance, and morphogenetic switching. These traits have evolved independently across various fungal phyla, suggesting a common selective advantage in pathogenicity. Furthermore, human-induced environmental changes significantly contribute to the emergence and evolution of fungal diseases by promoting the selection, multiplication, and diversification of fungal pathogens.This Research Topic aims to bridge the significant gaps in understanding the diversity and ecological dynamics of fungal species. It seeks to uncover how ecological mechanisms and genetic variations have driven the adaptation and evolution of fungal pathogenicity, thus enhancing our understanding of the biology and epidemiology of pathogens that infect humans. Investigating the genetic determinants of pathogenicity and tracing their evolutionary trajectories could provide invaluable insights, potentially aiding in the identification of novel traits that could lead to breakthroughs in therapeutic interventions.To gather further insights into the interplay between fungal ecology and pathogenicity, this research topic welcomes contributions that explore a range of dimensions, including:- Taxonomy and phylogeny of human pathogenic fungi- Evolutionary mechanisms of fungal diseases- Genetic diversity and genomics in fungal pathogenicity- Interactions between fungi and other microbes- Host responses and adaptations to fungal infectionSubmissions of original research articles, opinions, and review papers on all aspects of fungal ecology and pathogenicity are welcomed.
The kingdom of fungi encompasses a diverse array of organisms including soil saprotrophs, plant symbionts, airborne species, and macromycetes, many of which possess the ability to invade the human body. Interestingly, pathogenic fungi often share key ecological traits that are instrumental in infection, such as osmotolerance, melanization, thermotolerance, and morphogenetic switching. These traits have evolved independently across various fungal phyla, suggesting a common selective advantage in pathogenicity. Furthermore, human-induced environmental changes significantly contribute to the emergence and evolution of fungal diseases by promoting the selection, multiplication, and diversification of fungal pathogens.This Research Topic aims to bridge the significant gaps in understanding the diversity and ecological dynamics of fungal species. It seeks to uncover how ecological mechanisms and genetic variations have driven the adaptation and evolution of fungal pathogenicity, thus enhancing our understanding of the biology and epidemiology of pathogens that infect humans. Investigating the genetic determinants of pathogenicity and tracing their evolutionary trajectories could provide invaluable insights, potentially aiding in the identification of novel traits that could lead to breakthroughs in therapeutic interventions.To gather further insights into the interplay between fungal ecology and pathogenicity, this research topic welcomes contributions that explore a range of dimensions, including:- Taxonomy and phylogeny of human pathogenic fungi- Evolutionary mechanisms of fungal diseases- Genetic diversity and genomics in fungal pathogenicity- Interactions between fungi and other microbes- Host responses and adaptations to fungal infectionSubmissions of original research articles, opinions, and review papers on all aspects of fungal ecology and pathogenicity are welcomed.