Biomacromolecules in Algae: Metabolism, Regulation and Bioactivity

Dear Colleagues,

Algae, a diverse group of aquatic organisms that can conduct photosynthesis, have some certain features distinguishing them from land plants. They have complex evolutionary history, e.g., green and red algae belong to Archaeplastida, whereas brown algae and diatoms are important categories in Stramenopiles. They lack the differentiation of roots, stems, leaves, and a vascular system. They can be found in diversified terrestrial, freshwater, and seawater habitats. These certain features have enabled algae to possess many metabolic pathways and metabolites that are completely different from land plants. The increasing demand for algal biomass and their products is pushing algae to the research frontline in both scientific and industrial community.

Biomacromolecules from algae are an important manifestation of this particularity. They encompass bioactive compounds with complex composition, structure, biosynthesis, and bioactivity; for example, polysaccharides, proteins, polyunsaturated fatty acids and carotenoids et al. Many of these have been used as a raw material in the fields of food, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, causing significant scientific attention and great commercial value. Algal biomacromolecules metabolism encompasses various of biological pathways and play a crucial role in cell–cell adhesion and interaction, mechanical shear resistance, osmoregulation, photosynthetic reserve, etc. However, despite an increasing interest in biomacromolecules application, their enzyme-catalyzed biosynthesis and degradation and the underlying regulation mechanism in algae remain to be further elucidated. Moreover, the extensive application of algal biomacromolecules require innovations in engineering to gain economic competitiveness.

Therefore, in this Special Issue we aim to assemble a serial of articles with topics including (not exclusively):

• Biomacromolecules biosynthesis and degradation in algae;
• Photosynthesis and carbon fixation related to biomacromolecules;
• Biotechnology, bioactivity, and application studies of biomacromolecules;
• Multi-omics analysis concerning biosynthesis and regulation of biomacromolecules;
• Enzymological studies of algal biomacromolecules-related enzymes;
• Biotechnological engineering devoted to algal biomacromolecules extraction, production, and utilization.

Dr. Zhanru Shao
Dr. Wenhui Gu
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Metabolites is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• algae
• biomacromolecules
• enzymology
• carbon fixation
• transcriptomes
• metabolomics
• regulatory network
• extraction and utilization
• bioactivity