About this Research Topic
A wide spectrum of fungal species, including soil saprotrophs, plant symbionts, airborne fungi, and macromycetes are capable of colonizing the human body. It is noteworthy that human pathogenic fungi can share infection-relevant ecological traits. These traits have repeatedly evolved across multiple fungal phyla such as osmotolerance, melanisation, thermotolerance, and morphogenetic switch. Moreover, the anthropogenic change of the natural environment is a significant component in the emergence of fungal diseases by driving the selection of fungal pathogens and facilitating their multiplication, diversification, and evolution. Thus, these ecological scenarios culminate in the adaptation of these pathogens to colonize the human body thanks to fungal virulence traits.
Until now, there is lack in the fundamental understanding of the diversity and ecology of fungal species, including their natural distributions and ecological niches. This gap of knowledge hinders the efforts that aim to understand the biology and epidemiology of fungal pathogens. Understanding the ecological mechanisms and genetic variation that have shaped the adaptation and evolution of fungal pathogenicity is crucial to gain greater insights of human-infecting pathogenic fungi. Distinct research areas deciphering the genetic determinants of fungal pathogenicity and their evolution should be spearheaded to aid in the identification of potential traits that could serve in the development of new therapeutics. This research area could also serve as a cornerstone to establish relationships between ecological lifestyles and opportunism towards humans.
Interest in research on taxonomy and phylogeny of human pathogenic fungi; evolution; diversity; genomics and (evolutionary) genetics; fungi-microbe interaction; fungi-host interaction; fungi adaptation.
Submissions on all aspects of fungal ecology and pathogenicity, including original research articles, opinions, and reviews.
Until now, there is lack in the fundamental understanding of the diversity and ecology of fungal species, including their natural distributions and ecological niches. This gap of knowledge hinders the efforts that aim to understand the biology and epidemiology of fungal pathogens. Understanding the ecological mechanisms and genetic variation that have shaped the adaptation and evolution of fungal pathogenicity is crucial to gain greater insights of human-infecting pathogenic fungi. Distinct research areas deciphering the genetic determinants of fungal pathogenicity and their evolution should be spearheaded to aid in the identification of potential traits that could serve in the development of new therapeutics. This research area could also serve as a cornerstone to establish relationships between ecological lifestyles and opportunism towards humans.
Interest in research on taxonomy and phylogeny of human pathogenic fungi; evolution; diversity; genomics and (evolutionary) genetics; fungi-microbe interaction; fungi-host interaction; fungi adaptation.
Submissions on all aspects of fungal ecology and pathogenicity, including original research articles, opinions, and reviews.
Keywords: fungi; evolution; ecology; lifestyle; pathogenicity
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