Pollination Biology
Pollinators have important links to ecosystem health, green agriculture, food security and nutritional health. As an important part of the ecosystem, pollinating insects provide important ecological services to the ecosystem and also play an important role in maintaining the dynamic balance and relative stability of the ecosystem. Pollinator insects account for 80-85% of all animal pollination and provide vital services to the plant-pollinator ecosystem, the importance of which is widely recognized by researchers and the general public. Since the 1960s, the area of crops that are dependent on insect pollination has tripled worldwide, and the direct or indirect economic value of insect pollination services has become an important component of the gross agricultural product in many developed countries. To further advance research and exchange in the field of pollination biology, we have collected research contributions from relevant scholars and compiled them into this Reprint volume. The research findings in this Reprint offer, at best, a modest snapshot of an extraordinarily complex and rapidly evolving field. While the breadth of topics covered and the depth of individual studies reflect the momentum in pollination biology, we are acutely aware that any Special Issue can only scratch the surface. We aim to advance the discipline toward more robust and generalizable insights. Through collaboration with agronomists, plant breeders, land managers, and policy-makers, we will translate these findings into actionable spatial plans, cropping systems, seed technologies, and transnational policy frameworks.
State of the Art of Natural Antioxidants
More comprehensive studies on the mechanism of action of antioxidants are still needed to classify them into different groups according to their exact mode of action. Moreover, knowledge of the precise action mechanisms of many recently discovered natural compounds is still incomplete. Several different classifications of natural compounds are not totally satisfactory. Thus, both in vitro and in vivo studies investigating the direct and indirect modes of action through using advanced technological methods could easily push this area towards the successful selection of these agents. These analytical technologies could be the next generation for drawing chemical images of plant and animal tissues' biofunctional impacts and could visualize these biomolecules' activities. The objective of this Special Issue series is to demonstrate the different potential applications of the antioxidants, providing a comprehensive overview of efficient applications in different fields. For instance, these compounds have made significant contributions in the fields of nanotechnology, phytomedicine, food chemistry, bioresource technology, and phytoremediation. In conclusion, this Special Issue could play an important role in maximizing the extraction functionality and detection potential in all the mentioned fields from the analytical chemistry point of view through antioxidants' very simple applications in extraction, determination, and evaluation.
Application of CFD Simulations to Marine Hydrodynamic Problems
Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) methods play important roles for the design and ability assessment of marine vehicles, structures, ships, etc. They are widely used in the fields of naval architecture and ocean engineering. Nowadays, CFD techniques have developed to a very high level. They can partly or even fully replace experiments in many cases. This Special Issue aims to collect the cutting-edge developments in the fundamentals and applications of CFD methods, which can promote the discussion and developing of the new CFD methods.
Photonics for Bioapplications
This Special Issue explores advanced biosensing technologies, covering fluorescence, terahertz, photoelectrochemical, and optical fiber-based sensors. Topics include enzyme-assisted fluorescence biosensors for microRNA detection, NIR squaraine dye-peptide conjugates for trypsin detection, and metasurface-based terahertz sensors for tracing molecules. It discusses methods like backscattering Mueller matrix polarimetry for tissue imaging, SERS substrates for uric acid detection, and ternary heterojunction photoelectrochemical sensors for antioxidant quantification. Other highlights include hierarchical Ti-metal-organic framework microflowers for the detection and removal of the aluminum ion, analysis of the thermo-viscoelastometry of radiofrequency-wave-heated and ablated flesh tissues containing Au nanoparticles, and optical fiber sensors for thermal mapping in radiofrequency ablation. The Special Issue concludes with a review of cost-effective optical fiber solutions for biosensing, offering insights into biomedical and environmental applications.
Cereals and Cereal-Based Foods
Cereals are an important source of energy and compounds with nutritional and healthy properties. To develop superior, nutrient-rich, and healthy cereal-based foods, it is essential to select appropriate genetic materials with good nutritional profiles, optimize milling processes to retain beneficial compounds, and refine secondary processing techniques. Combining these efforts with good sensory properties is crucial for creating appealing and healthy final products that are rich in energy, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals.
Strategies to Improve the Security and Nutritional Quality of Crop Species
Retinal Diseases
This Special Issue Reprint provides an updated overview of retina and retinal diseases along with therapeutic and diagnostic approaches. The diseases covered include diabetic retinopathy, macular edema, retinoblastoma, age-related macular degeneration, and inherited retinal disorders associated with infantile nystagmus syndrome. Recent advances in therapeutic development approaches, such as gene- and stem-cell-based therapies, are reviewed, and recent advances in the clinical treatment of application, including anti-VEGF and vision rehabilitation and eye exercises, are included. Updates regarding diagnostic and disease-grading methodologies, such as VESsel GENeration (VESGEN) analysis and deep neural networks are also highlighted, offering insights into future directions. In addition, this Reprint describes photoreceptor synapse development and related transcriptome analyses.
Sustainability and Perspectives of Edible Insect Rearing and Utilization of Their Products and Byproducts
Recent Advances on the Use of Different Gels Type in the Food Industry
Diagnosis, Epidemiology, and Vaccine Development of Swine Viral Diseases
Advanced Technologies in Graphene-Based Materials
Graphene-based materials, including single-layer and laser-induced graphene, carbon nanotubes, and graphene oxide, have revolutionized modern materials science due to their exceptional properties and diverse applications. These materials are driving innovations in electronics, catalysis, biosensors, and biomedicine, among others. Continuous advancements in synthesis techniques, functionalization methods, and characterization approaches are essential for fully unlocking their potential.This Special Issue on "Advanced Technologies in Graphene-Based Materials" gathers groundbreaking research delving into the multifunctional nature of graphene and its derivatives. This collection includes a mix of original research and review articles, covering topics such as the biocompatibility of graphene in drug delivery systems, the use of graphene-supported metal hydrides in energy storage, and the role of graphene oxides in enhancing the mechanical properties of composites. Additionally, it explores the electronic tuning of graphene for advanced devices, environmental applications, and the synthesis of novel graphene-like materials.This reprint offers valuable insights into the latest advancements and future possibilities of graphene-based technologies, making it an essential resource for researchers and professionals in the field.
Focus on Exercise Physiology and Sports Performance
Exercise physiology has evolved into a multidisciplinary science at the intersection of biology, medicine, and performance optimization. It explores the physiological mechanisms activated during exercise and their applications for health promotion, disease prevention, and athletic performance. Recent advances have shifted the field from traditional assessments of cardiovascular and muscular function toward integrative studies on molecular signaling, neuromuscular regulation, neuroplasticity, and metabolism. These insights reveal exercise as a potent stimulus that induces adaptive changes across multiple organ systems, enhancing metabolic health, cognitive function, and longevity. Building on these developments, the second edition of the Special Issue "Focus on Exercise Physiology and Sports Performance" seeks to advance our understanding of how the human body responds to and benefits from exercise, how these responses can be optimized for performance and health, and how interdisciplinary collaboration continues to expand the boundaries of human movement science.
Chagas Disease
This special issue of Pathogens aims to provide an overview of the latest scientific advances in the study and control of Chagas disease, a major health problem in Latin America. Key contributions from basic research, applied research, and public health measures are highlighted. The prominent contribution of Latin American scientists is emphasized by the selection of contributors.
Biosecuring Animal Populations
Dear Colleagues, It is with great enthusiasm that we lead this Special Issue on the topic of biosecuring animal populations. This is indeed a timely topic, based on the domestic and transboundary challenges of pathogens such as the African swine fever virus, the porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus, and the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus. This Special Issue is multi-organismal, cross-species, and global in nature. Topics include reviews, new research on disease transmission and biosecurity, advances in bio surveillance, and the role of human behavior in biosecurity compliance, often based on data from the field describing the efforts of veterinary practitioners and scientists to measure the impact of next-generation biosecurity interventions on the control of these significant diseases of herds and flocks. There has never been a more critical time to discuss the biosecuring of animal populations.
Innovative Micropropagation of Horticultural and Medicinal Plants
Micropropagation is a tissue culture technology used for the large-scale production of economically important horticultural and medicinal plants, the conservation of rare and endangered plant species, and the fundamental study of basic plant developmental processes. Plant tissue culture is an important platform for the production of specialized metabolites under controlled conditions, whose modifications and abiotic and biotic elicitors can enhance the chemical diversity and variation within the proportions of different bioactive compounds. This reprint from the Special Issue "Innovative Micropropagation of Horticultural and Medicinal Plants" compiles thirteen peer-reviewed research papers that provide perspectives for future research directions. The collected articles explore promising innovative techniques and practices to improve the micropropagation systems and increase the production of biomass and specialized metabolites while reducing operational costs, such as the application of the temporary immersion system, integrating machine learning models, and the cold plasma technique. This reprint highlights the innovative techniques and draws attention to new, efficient, and sustainable micropropagation systems that represent the latest advances in the field of great interest to scientists and industrial development purposes.
Biophilic School Design for Health and Wellbeing
The COVID-19 pandemic has been a wake-up call for education. Research suggests that schools could become better learning environments for health and wellbeing through biophilic design, which became more important during the pandemic and in the post-pandemic environment. Within an educational setting, nature provides a calm and safe context for learning by improving learners' attention, reducing stress, and increasing curiosity-experiences with nature seem to promote children's development as persons and as environmental stewards. Existing frameworks for biophilic design support the implementation of including nature in architectural design. However, this focus has been primarily in adult spaces, missing the opportunity for sustainable impact on the wellbeing of younger generations by omitting schools in the crucial context of implementation. Therefore, the design of school classrooms and school grounds needs to be re-imagined to include school users' health and wellbeing. This ePrint explores the cross-disciplinarity of biophilic school design through the views of the invited authors. It explores a long-term biophilic design approach for post-pandemic schools that promotes the health and wellbeing of their users-children, young people, and adults. Thematic areas include how biophilic design principles can be used to understand the relationship between the natural environment and health and wellbeing; to enhance the health and wellbeing of students and staff; to increase biodiversity; to improve learning outcomes; and to showcase new and emerging evidence of the benefits of the biophilic design in schools.
The Generation and Control of Harmful Products in Food Processing
In order to obtain satisfactory quality, food materials are usually processed. However, along with the improvement of food quality, harmful products may also be generated, such as heterocyclic amines, advanced glycation end products, acrylamide, ethyl carbamate, and methylimidazole. Recently, research in this field has expanded significantly, especially regarding the formation, occurrence, and inhibition of these harmful products in different food systems.Given the growing concern about the safety of food processing procedures, it is important to report the latest research on the formation and control of harmful products generated during food processing.
Molecular Therapeutics for Diabetes and Related Complications
Despite conventional treatments, such as insulin therapy, along with newer glucose-lowering medications such as metformin, GLP-1 receptor agonists, SGLT-2 inhibitors, and insulin sensitizers, diabetes is still a major global health problem. The identification of novel therapeutic approaches is required that can increase effectiveness and decrease side effects. Specific drug targets are needed to maintain the molecular pathways related to secondary diabetic complications. Recent studies also suggest the use of novel plant products and antioxidants as potential therapeutic agents. However, the mechanisms through which these compounds control diabetes and its associated complications, such as diabetic nephropathy, retinopathy, neuropathy, and cardiovascular diseases, need further exploration. The identification of specific molecular therapeutics will help to surpass the benefits of conventional therapies, thereby reducing the morbidity and mortality linked to diabetic complications. While recent preclinical studies have identified promising molecular targets, further clinical trials are needed to translate these findings into clinical practice. Furthermore, manipulating molecular metabolic pathways through inflammatory and immune responses, and exploring microRNAs, stem cell therapy, and gene therapy, could serve as potential diagnostic and therapeutic tools. In this Reprint, we compile some state-of-the-art insights into the role of novel molecular therapeutics in ameliorating diabetes and related complications.
Heavy Metal Contamination and Its Effects on Ecosystems and Human Health
This Reprint showcases recent advances on heavy metal contamination across soil, water, sediments, air, and the food chain, with a focus on risks to ecosystems and human health as well as practical solutions. Contributors quantify exposure pathways and bioaccumulation, refine human health risk assessment, and link chemistry to biological effects using modern analytics and data-driven methods. Studies compare regulatory thresholds with real-world concentrations, highlight spatial and temporal monitoring strategies, and examine co-occurring stressors such as organic pollutants and microplastics.A major emphasis is on remediation and safe utilization. Papers evaluate physical removal, chemical stabilization, and emerging green technologies, including phytoremediation, microbial processes, engineered amendments, and circular approaches that recover resources while lowering toxicity. Case studies report field scale performance, life cycle considerations, and cost effectiveness, offering decision-ready evidence for practitioners and policy makers. Together, this Reprint provides a current, integrated view of heavy metal pollution and actionable routes to prevention, cleanup, and risk reduction.
Recent Advances in Gastrointestinal Cancers
Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, including colorectal, pancreatic, and biliary tract cancers, account for nearly one in four cancer cases and one in three cancer deaths worldwide. This Special Issue explores advances in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, focusing on immunotherapy, precision medicine, targeted therapies, and artificial intelligence. Despite advances in standard treatments, many patients still face aggressive or refractory disease, highlighting the need for innovative therapeutic strategies and predictive tools. The published contributions reflect the multidimensional evolution of GI oncology within the precision medicine paradigm. Pharmacological advances, such as the combination of regorafenib with 5-fluorouracil or bevacizumab with trifluridine-tipiracil, have demonstrated improved disease control in metastatic colorectal cancer. Molecular profiling and multi-omic analyses have identified prognostic biomarkers, including CLDN1, INHBA, and CXCL12, while studies on the Wnt/β-catenin pathway reveal early events in colorectal carcinogenesis. Patient-derived organoids have emerged as key preclinical models, faithfully recapitulating tumor biology and enabling personalized testing of chemotherapy and immunotherapy regimens.Overall, these advances illustrate a dynamic and integrated approach to GI oncology, combining pharmacology, molecular diagnostics, bioengineering, and microbiome science to improve precision, improve patient outcomes, and move toward a personalized and holistic model of cancer care.
Adaptation of Marine Animals to Extreme Environments
Marine animals have evolved in extreme environments such as polar regions, the deep sea, and hydrothermal vents by modifying their morphology, physiology, and behavior based on their genetic makeup. Though they are extraordinarily interesting and should be extensively explored, e.g., by searching for creatures on Mars, our efforts to do just that have been hampered by the limited accessibility inherent in such locations. Even marine animals in the "boundary" zone (e.g., where it is temperate, and oxygen is at a minimum) show a surprising acclimation ability to extreme weather events or unexpected changes in the environment. We can learn pivotal lessons from how these animals adapt to extreme environments and can even apply their mechanisms, functions, or biomaterials to future technology advancements. This Special Issue is open to scientists and engineers in any field who study the adaptation of marine animals to extreme environments and want to bring new insights and stimulate interactions between experts from diverse disciplines.
Vitamin D in Health and Disease (2nd Edition)
Vitamin D (VD) is a lipo-soluble hormone that is well known for its effects on calcium homeostasis and bone metabolism. Recently, there has been growing interest in the extra-skeletal effects of VD. In particular, recent studies have highlighted how VD plays a fundamental role in immunomodulation processes in the context of both innate and adaptive immunity, with consequential anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects in different immune-mediated pathologies, such as systemic sclerosis, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis and rheumatoid arthritis, as well as in various pro-inflammatory processes affecting the airways. Recent evidence has shown that VD is also closely related to other components such as the microbiome, with which it appears to be interconnected in the pathophysiology of many allergic diseases. In addition to the known immunomodulatory effects of VD, several studies have reported that it is also endowed with important anti-proliferative, anti-angiogenic and pro-differentiative effects in cancer thanks to its effects on the modulation of the expression of tumor miRNAs through its action at the VD receptor (VDR) level. In view of this, it is clear that VD supplementation represents a safe and valid therapeutic strategy that is capable of improving the clinical outcome of many diseases. In this Special Issue, the different functions and potential benefits of vitamin D were discussed.
Vitamin D in Health and Disease
Vitamin D (VD) is a lipo-soluble hormone that is well known for its effects on calcium homeostasis and bone metabolism. Recently, there has been growing interest in the extra-skeletal effects of VD. In particular, recent studies have highlighted how VD plays a fundamental role in immunomodulation processes in the context of both innate and adaptive immunity, with consequential anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects in different immune-mediated pathologies, such as systemic sclerosis, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis and rheumatoid arthritis, as well as in various pro-inflammatory processes affecting the airways. Recent evidence has shown that VD is also closely related to other components such as the microbiome, with which it appears to be interconnected in the pathophysiology of many allergic diseases. In addition to the known immunomodulatory effects of VD, several studies have reported that it is also endowed with important anti-proliferative, anti-angiogenic and pro-differentiative effects in cancer thanks to its effects on the modulation of the expression of tumor miRNAs through its action at the VD receptor (VDR) level. In view of this, it is clear that VD supplementation represents a safe and valid therapeutic strategy that is capable of improving the clinical outcome of many diseases.In this Special Issue, the different functions and potential benefits of VD, some pathological manifestations related to VD deficiency, the therapeutic potential of VD supplementation, and the link between the effects of VD and the microbiome were discussed.
Synthesis and Application of Nanoparticles in Novel Composites
The content of this Special Issue reprint illustrates how nanocomposites impinge on many important areas of the application of technology with benefits to society. The articles present recent developments in the use of antibacterial nanoparticles in restorative dentistry, in the development of novel drug delivery systems and in the incorporation of graphene and carbon nanotubes to enhance the strength of cement for construction purposes.
Circulating Non-coding RNAs as Diagnostic and Prognostic Markers of Human Diseases
This Reprint of the IJMS Special Issue "Circulating Non-Coding RNAs as Diagnostic and Prognostic Markers of Human Diseases" presents eight original research papers and five reviews that advance our diagnostic, prognostic, and mechanistic understanding of circulating non-coding RNAs (c-ncRNAs). The collection emphasizes the remarkable stability of c-ncRNAs in biofluids such as blood and urine, their tissue- and disease-specific expression profiles, and their growing promise in non-invasive liquid biopsy for precision medicine, spanning early detection, risk assessment, and therapeutic monitoring. Featured studies explore early lung cancer prediction in COPD via miR-206 and miR-1246; risk stratification in atrial fibrillation using miR-411-5p; the differentiation of coronary artery aneurysmal disease through miR-451a and miR-328-3p; the staging of mycosis fungoides by plasma miR-146a and miR-155; and asthma phenotyping associated with hsa-miR-26a-1-3p and hsa-miR-376a-3p. Additional research investigates NAFLD diagnostics using serum miRNA ratios and provides mechanistic insight into muscle development via circTTN. The reviews synthesize advances on c-miRNAs in osteoarthritis, miRNA and exosomal miRNA dysregulation in cholesteatoma, therapeutic biomarkers in asthma, and post-SARS-CoV-2 cardiovascular alterations, highlighting broad clinical relevance across oncologic, cardiovascular, metabolic, and inflammatory disorders. Collectively, these contributions underscore methodological progress toward standardization and position c-ncRNAs at the forefront of minimally invasive diagnostics and personalized therapy.
Circulating Non-coding RNAs as Diagnostic and Prognostic Markers of Human Diseases
This Reprint presents a curated collection of twelve peer-reviewed articles, comprising nine original research papers and three reviews, that examine the diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic potential of circulating non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) across a wide range of human diseases. The contributions cover multiple disciplines, including oncology, neurology, psychiatry, immunology, and reproductive health, showcasing the versatility of ncRNAs-such as microRNAs, long non-coding RNAs, and circular RNAs-as biomarkers detectable in blood and other biofluids. This Reprint highlights recent progress in the discovery, validation, and mechanistic characterization of ncRNAs, emphasizing their value in disease stratification, the prediction of treatment response, and longitudinal monitoring. Within this Reprint, the potential of multi-analyte biopsy approaches is also highlighted, underscoring how ncRNAs can be combined with other circulating biomarkers, such as cell-free DNA, proteins, and extracellular vesicles, to advance precision medicine. Together, these contributions reflect the growing momentum of research regarding ncRNA and its translation into clinical applications. This Reprint provides a timely resource for researchers, clinicians, and industry professionals interested in leveraging non-coding RNAs to develop minimally invasive diagnostics and personalized therapeutic strategies.
The Importance of Fish Phenotype in Aquaculture, Fisheries and Conservation
Aquatic ecosystems currently face a diverse range of pressures against the background of climate change and human activities, which bring severe uncertainty to aquaculture sustainability, fishery management, and biodiversity conservation. It is of vital importance to comprehensively elucidate the responses of aquatic organisms to these global changing factors. One of the most critical characteristics animals have in order to cope with such changes is altering their behavioral tactics and physiological processes; however, there seems to be an underestimation of these phenotypic reactions in the contexts of aquaculture, fisheries, and conservation. The issue of how to integrate fish phenotypes into the adaptive management of aquatic ecosystems is one of the crucial topics that has received increasing attention from scientists, decision-makers, and the public in recent years. This Reprint aims to provide an overview of recent advances in the field of fish-phenotype-based adaptive management of aquatic ecosystems. The phenotype comprises the behaviors, morphology, and physiology of a fish. The important roles of phenotype are reflected by (a) applying fish behaviors to evaluate welfare status, (b) developing practical methods to decrease undesired behaviors in the aquaculture context and to improve fish ecological fitness in stock enhancement and conservation projects, and (c) elucidating the dynamics and mechanisms of fish responses to ecological changes. We believe this Reprint will offer readers an updated understanding of the important questions outlined above.
Advanced Technologies in Physical and Mechanical Wood Modification
The Special Issue Advanced Technologies in Physical and Mechanical Wood Modification is devoted to wood modification, both in the classical and innovative sense. The publications cover a wide range of topics: from chemical impregnation and thermomechanical treatment, natural protective agents and waste materials, to molecular modelling of cellulose properties. The papers present current trends in improving the physical, mechanical, and biological properties of wood and wood-based materials, emphasising contemporary research's interdisciplinary and pro-environmental nature. This Special Issue is a valuable source of knowledge for scientists, engineers, and practitioners interested in modern solutions in wood technology.
Elements Cycling and Plants' Physiological Characteristics
This Reprint, entitled "Elements Cycling and Plants' Physiological Characteristics: A Soil-Plant-Atmosphere Continuum Perspective", presents a collection of innovative research and a comprehensive review exploring the intricate dynamics of biogeochemical cycles and their profound influence on plant physiology. The studies within this volume investigate the critical interfaces between the soil, plants, and the atmosphere, addressing fundamental questions in plant adaptation and ecosystem functioning. Topics covered include nutrient acquisition and utilization strategies under deficiency, such as phosphorus stress in woody plants, plant defense mechanisms and physiological resilience to seasonal environmental changes, the impact of land use conversion on soil microbial communities, and advanced methodologies for assessing phytomass and carbon sequestration. The Reprint also delves into sustainable agricultural practices, including the circular utilization of organic waste as bio-nutrients and the application of spent mushroom substrate-derived biochar. Furthermore, it explores the limits of life through the resilience of microorganisms to extreme atmospheric conditions. By integrating molecular, physiological, ecological, and remote sensing approaches, this Reprint provides a holistic understanding of plant responses within the continuum of elemental cycles. It serves as a valuable resource for researchers, ecologists, agronomists, and environmental scientists who are interested in plan-environment interactions and sustainable ecosystem management.
Novel Strategies in the Development of New Therapies, Drug Substances and Drug Carriers, 3rd Edition
The urgent demand for effective and safe therapies-particularly for aggressive cancers, where delays in diagnosis and treatment can turn manageable conditions into fatal ones-continues to drive innovation in drug research. Key areas of current focus include the development of novel therapeutic molecules, advanced drug delivery systems, personalized medicine, and the integration of digital technologies into treatment strategies. Progress in these domains requires the close integration of multiple scientific disciplines and industrial sectors, ensuring a comprehensive approach to drug discovery and development. This third edition, dedicated to the Interdisciplinary Conference on Drug Sciences, ACCORD 2024, aims to highlight research that has contributed to the conception, design, and development of new drug substances and formulations.The topics explored in this Special Issue include the identification of novel molecular drug targets, evaluation of drug-protein interactions, modeling and optimization of functional activity, pre-formulation studies, pharmaceutical carrier design, and preclinical investigations. The Special Issue assembles a diverse collection of innovative studies that span critical stages of drug discovery, formulation, targeted delivery, and therapeutic monitoring.
The Paths of Plant Pathogens
Plant diseases, caused by pathogenic microbes and parasitic plants, are considered a major problem leading to great yield and economical loses. Of serious interest during recent decades are the interaction between phytopathogenic microbes and animal cross-over pathogens with their host and nonhosts and their ability to jump between them. For some pathogens, the host range is well studied, while for the others it is not. Unexpected pathogenic microorganisms can be found in unusual places and the questions is-can they switch to a pathogenic life cycle in organisms differently than their susceptible hosts? Moreover, the ability of some parasitic plants to act as vectors for phytopathogenic bacteria, viruses, and fungi is another concerning issue that warrants extensive study.Gaining and summarizing knowledge about the molecular mechanisms that microbes use to infect host and non-host plants-or simply to use plants as natural reservoirs-is essential for identifying and managing potential environmental threats. Additionally, it is proposed that animal pathogens inhabit plants as an obligatory stage of their life cycle. Therefore, can the plant environment play a key role and stimulate the pathogen to switch into a pathogenic cycle even if it is not its natural host? Microbes are capable of adapting to new environmental niches. Our focus is on the prevalence and the ability of pathogenic organisms to moderate their mechanisms in order to expand the number of their potential hosts.
Genetic Engineering in Microbial Biotechnology
This Reprint brings together contributions from the Special Issue on Genetic Engineering in Microbial Biotechnology, originally published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences. Under the guest editorship of Dr. Fernando Santos-Beneit, the collection addresses the key intersection of gene-based technologies and microbial systems, exploring how microorganisms may be harnessed for sustainable innovation. Featuring both original research and authoritative reviews, the Reprint encompasses topics such as white, red, yellow, green, and other branches of biotechnology; bioinformatic analyses; metabolic engineering; microbial genetic circuits; degradation of synthetic polymers; biosynthesis of bioproducts; enzyme engineering; antimicrobial resistance; and novel secondary metabolites. Collectively, these studies seek to confront pressing challenges of modern society-such as the climate crisis, environmental pollution, and health threats-by leveraging the smallest forms of life. Each paper in the Reprint exemplifies rigorous experimental design, computational insight, and strategic engineering aimed at translational or applied outcomes. Whether enhancing bioproduct yield, developing biodegradable polymers, or elucidating novel genetic pathways, the contributions illustrate the compelling promise of genetically engineered microorganisms in illuminating new biotechnological possibilities.The Reprint offers both researchers and practitioners a curated resource of cutting-edge developments and future directions in microbial genetic engineering, providing a foundation for further progress toward a more sustainable and innovative bioeconomy.
Corn Insect Pests
This reprint consolidates the latest findings on the biology and management of major corn insect pests, highlighting how temperature and humidity regimes shorten life cycles and push species like Spodoptera exigua, S. litura, and S. frugiperda into previously cool regions. Stable-isotope tracking now confirms that fall armyworm undertakes a previously unrecognized southward "reverse migration" from the U.S. Corn Belt to Florida, rapidly shuttling Bt- and insecticide-resistance alleles across the continent. Field evaluations show that Vip3Aa20-expressing hybrids remain the only Bt technology that is still delivering > 75% control of corn earworm and reducing mycotoxin contamination, while older Cry proteins succumb to widespread resistance. At the same time, innovative work demonstrates that the maize weevil can be safely converted into a 48% protein ingredient, offering a practical "harvest-to-feed" approach that simultaneously curbs post-harvest losses and generates a sustainable protein source. Taken together, the studies provide a coherent, multi-scale framework for climate-smart, resistance-aware, and resource-efficient pest management in maize systems worldwide.
Mycotoxins and Fungal Toxins
Infections with mycotoxigenic fungi in crops and the further accumulation of related toxic secondary metabolites in agricultural products pose significant threats to food/feed safety around the world. The hazards and risks caused by mycotoxin contamination are significantly different from those caused by human pesticide spraying, which are difficult to control through legal means. The aim of this Special Issue, "Mycotoxins and Fungal Toxins: Current Status and Future Perspectives", was to gather information on the determination, toxicology, and prediction and prevention of mycotoxin contamination, the functional genomics of fungi, and the molecular mechanisms of mycotoxin biosynthesis in order to highlight current research and future perspectives on all aspects relating to toxigenic fungi and their toxins and to incentivize researchers to perform such important research. This Special Issue has been of great success, facilitating the publication of nine research papers and two reviews from active researchers working in the field worldwide. These findings collectively contribute to the ongoing efforts on fungi and their mycotoxins and offer novel insights into future research work.
Plant Responses to Abiotic and Biotic Stresses
Meteorological records have shown that mean annual temperatures have increased by approximately 1 簞C over the past century, and this trend is expected to continue in the future. Meanwhile, droughts and floods are occurring more frequently than before. The increasing frequency of extreme weather events poses a serious threat to global food security. As a result, improving plant, particularly crop, resistance to abiotic stresses has become increasingly important. It is therefore crucial to understand how plants effectively cope with high-intensity extreme weather conditions, and to elucidate the underlying molecular as well as physiological mechanisms of plant responses to abiotic stresses. This knowledge can aid in the development of technologies to help plants withstand abiotic stresses and mitigate the impacts of extreme climate change on crop security.
Innovative Techniques for Citrus Cultivation
The Special Issue "Innovative Techniques for Citrus Cultivation" focuses on latest citrus agriculture advancements, emphasizing integrating innovative practices to boost productivity and sustainability. Its research articles cover key aspects like rootstock selection, which is pivotal for citrus growth, yield and quality. Notably, studies highlight new rootstocks (e.g., Citrus junos cv. Shuzhen No. 1) with marked improvements in tree vigor, photosynthetic activity and overall fruit quality, offering valuable insights for growers/breeders to optimize hybrid citrus cultivation.​ Besides rootstock progress, the Special Issue explores metabolomics application in analyzing biochemical composition of citrus fruits and leaves. This helps us to identify key metabolites influencing nutritional and sensory qualities, guiding breeding strategies for better fruit quality. Furthermore, it addresses abiotic stress challenges (drought, salinity) and presents innovative strategies to enhance citrus resilience. By focusing on stress tolerance mechanisms, studies aim to equip growers with knowledge to adapt to environmental changes and ensure sustainable production.​Overall, this Special Issue is a vital resource for researchers, agronomists and industry professionals for advancing citrus cultivation. Integrating innovative techniques and addressing key challenges, its findings aim to promote sustainable agriculture and improve global citrus production quality. The insights contribute to the scientific community and have practical implications for enhancing citrus farming's economic viability in diverse climates.
Abiotic Stress-Induced Secondary Metabolites Regulating Plant Metabolism
The aim of this reprint is to explore the pivotal role of plant secondary metabolites in the abiotic stress response. When exposed to environmental adversities such as drought, salinity, heavy metal pollution, and ultraviolet radiation, plants activate intricate defense mechanisms, resulting in the synthesis of antioxidant compounds like flavonoids, phenolic acids, and gamma-aminobutyric acid. This reprint delves into the genetic regulation and biochemical pathways underlying the biosynthesis of these compounds, shedding light on their functional significance in the stress response. Overall, through featuring cutting-edge research and insights from leading experts, this reprint explores the diversity, synthesis, and accumulation of secondary metabolites under stress conditions. By unraveling these molecular processes, we aim to provide a foundation for developing innovative strategies to enhance crop tolerance, improve plant health, and promote sustainable agricultural practices.
Sustainable Fertilization Management Consequences to Horticultural Crops
To meet the ever-increasing global demand for food, the agricultural community continues to seek innovative practices to boost crop yields without sacrificing the environment. For example, using huge amounts of fertilizers hampers soil health and generates pollution. Integrated nutrient management paves the way towards overcoming these problems, which involves the conjunctive use of chemical fertilizers and organic manures. The application of plant nutrients in an optimum ratio and adequate amounts is called "Balanced Fertilization".Sustainable Fertilization Management is the proper supply of all nutrients throughout the growth of a crop. It is now commonly understood that irrational and/or excessive fertilizer application does not always translate into a continuous increase in crop yield. In contrast, a balanced fertilization strategy is economically superior, and is a more sustainable agricultural practice.According to the "Liebig's barrel" principle, plant growth is dictated by the scarcest resource (limiting factor), and not by the total resources available. A deficiency in one nutrient cannot be compensated by a surplus of any of the others. Thus, one nutrient alone cannot ensure the yield, and a balance between the nutrients is essential to ensure attainment of yields according to the genetic potential of the crops. Hence, research in this field must be up to date, and is crucial for science and the practice of horticulture.
Vegetable Genetics and Genomics
Olericulture is one of the subdisciplines of horticulture, primarily focusing on three core areas: the genetic breeding, cultivation, and postharvest physiology of vegetable crops. In addition to classical genetic research methods, modern genetic research approaches based on high-throughput sequencing technology-such as QTL-seq and GWAS-have been widely applied. Meanwhile, with the decreasing costs of genomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics, and proteomics, these omics technologies have also been commonly used in olericultural research. These two research approaches-genetics and omics-have significantly advanced studies on the exploration and utilization of genetic resources in olericulture, leading to the acquisition of numerous new research findings.To summarize and showcase these academic achievements, we launched our Special Issue. The Special Issue concluded on February 28, 2023, and included a total of 14 papers, consisting of 1 editorial, 1 review article, and 6 papers focusing on Solanaceae crops, 2 on Cucurbitaceae crops, 2 on Brassicaceae crops, 1 on Chinese chive, and 1 on olive. As of August 20, 2025, this Special Issue has been viewed 45,487 times, attracting substantial attention. All papers in this Special Issue closely address specific traits of the corresponding vegetable crops, covering research hotspots such as male sterility, secondary metabolism synthesis, abiotic stress responses, and fruit development. These research achievements provide new perspectives for understanding the genetic regulatory mechanisms underlying these specific traits and demonstrate their application value in genetic improvement.
Genetics and Breeding of Edible Mushroom
Edible mushrooms, well known for their high nutritional and medicinal value, have been widely cultivated across the globe. Studies involving germplasm resources, molecular markers, genetics, breeding systems, and cultivation techniques have been extensively performed over the last few decades, considerably promoting the mushroom industry. However, both mushroom development and the formation of nutritional and medicinal characteristics involve complicated systems comprising gene regulatory networks and environmental stimulations. In recent years, with breakthroughs in high-throughput sequencing and omics, genetic transformation, and gene editing technologies, among other domains, more and more researchers have focused on the molecular genetic mechanisms of mushroom yield and quality, making some progress. An in-depth understanding of these mechanisms has further guided and facilitated breeding. Moreover, some studies have been carried out in the field of functional gene mapping and the marker-assisted breeding of edible mushrooms with agronomic traits. This Special Issue explores both fundamental research and technological applications in the field of mushroom genetics and breeding.
Effects of Plant Extracts on Meat Quality, Intestinal Microbiota and Resistance to Diseases and Stresses of Food Animals
With the complete prohibition of feed antibiotic additives in many countries and regions, including China, the United States, and Europe, studying and developing efficient new green feed additives with plant extracts and their ability to mitigate various problems in livestock and poultry breeding have gradually become a key focus of animal science research.In this Special Issue, we compiled research articles and reviews on the effects of plant extracts on meat quality, intestinal flora, resistance to disease, and stress in edible animals, highlighting current knowledge and future directions in this field.
