Fungal Diversity and Bioactive Potential: From Taxonomy to Therapeutic Applications

Dear Colleagues,

Fungi are among the most ecologically and biochemically diverse organisms on Earth, playing vital roles in ecosystems and serving as a rich source of biologically active compounds. This Special Issue titled “Fungal Diversity and Bioactive Potential: From Taxonomy to Therapeutic Applications” aims to showcase multidisciplinary research spanning fungal taxonomy, ecology, and the discovery and evaluation of fungal metabolites with therapeutic potential.

We invite researchers to submit original research articles, reviews, and short communications that explore the vast diversity and applications of fungi. Topics of interest include taxonomic and phylogenetic analyses of macro- and microfungi, the discovery of new species, and ecological interactions. Contributions on fungal diversity in various environments, as well as the chemical profiling of fungal metabolites using techniques like LC-MS/MS, NMR, and GC-MS, are highly encouraged.

We also welcome studies investigating the biological activities of fungal extracts and compounds, such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and neuroprotective effects. Manuscripts on the nutraceutical and functional food potential of edible and medicinal mushrooms, as well as ethnomycological knowledge and traditional uses of fungi, are of great interest.

Further topics include fungi as sources of novel enzymes, antibiotics, or biocontrol agents, and research into the biosynthesis and metabolic engineering of bioactive fungal compounds. We especially encourage submissions that combine modern analytical techniques, molecular biology, and pharmacological approaches, and those that explore underutilized fungal groups such as endophytic, medicinal, or extremophilic fungi.

This Special Issue aims to serve as a collaborative platform for researchers across disciplines—mycology, pharmacology, chemistry, microbiology, and environmental science—to share knowledge and inspire biotechnological and therapeutic innovations derived from fungal resources.

We look forward to your contributions and to building a rich and diverse collection of high-quality fungal research. 

Dr. Milena Rašeta
Guest Editor

Dr. Jovana Mišković
Guest Editor Assistant

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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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. Microorganisms 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.