Advances in Fungal Biotechnology for Environmental Applications and the Circular Bioeconomy

Fungi are versatile biological resources with significant potential to address environmental and industrial sustainability challenges. Their metabolic diversity supports the production of enzymes, metabolites, biomaterials, bioactive compounds, and alternative proteins, while their ability to degrade complex substances enables applications in pollution control and waste treatment. Advances in omics, systems biology, synthetic biology, and bioprocess engineering are expanding these opportunities, although challenges remain in strain improvement, process scalability, economic feasibility, microbial interactions, and environmental assessment.This Research Topic aims to advance the understanding and application of fungal biology in environmental technologies and industrial biotechnology. It will explore how fungal diversity and metabolic capabilities can support pollutant removal, resource recovery, sustainable biomanufacturing, and the development of bio-based products and materials, while addressing barriers to process integration, scale-up, biosafety, and environmental performance.To gather further insights into fungal biotechnology for environmental sustainability and the circular bioeconomy, we welcome contributions addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:*Fungal diversity, functional biology, and ecology*Fungal microbiomes and microbial consortia*Mycoremediation and pollutant biodegradation*Waste treatment, biomass valorization, and biorefineries*Fungal enzymes, metabolites, and natural products*Fermentation and sustainable bioprocessing*Mycelium-based materials and biomaterials*Alternative proteins and food biotechnology*Synthetic biology, metabolic engineering, and strain improvement*Multi-omics and systems biology*Resource recovery, life-cycle assessment, and techno-economic analysis*Fungal technologies supporting the circular bioeconomyWe welcome Original Research, Review, Mini Review, Perspective, Methods, and Opinion articles presenting relevant biological, technological, or interdisciplinary advances. Topic editors: Cristina Pérez Rivero, José Pablo López-Gómez, Gheorghe Adrian Martau Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/84438/advances-in-fungal-biotechnology-for-environmental-applications-and-the-circular-bioeconomy