Damage to Plants and Microorganisms Caused by Heavy Metal Toxicity
A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Plant Sciences".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 February 2026 | Viewed by 280
Special Issue Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Heavy metal contamination poses a critical threat to ecosystems and agricultural productivity, with metals such as cadmium, lead, arsenic, and mercury disrupting biological processes in plants and microorganisms. This Special Issue aims to explore the molecular, physiological, and ecological impacts of heavy metal toxicity, focusing on mechanisms of damage, adaptive responses, and remediation strategies. The Special Issue seeks to compile cutting-edge research on the following: Molecular Mechanisms: DNA damage repair pathways (e.g., homologous recombination, base excision repair) in plants and microbes under metal stress; Physiological Adaptations: Antioxidant defense systems, metal chelation (e.g., phytochelatins, metallothioneins), and microbial detoxification enzymes (e.g., oxidoreductases); Ecological Interactions: Impacts on plant-microbe symbioses (e.g., mycorrhizae, rhizobia) and soil microbial diversity; Bioremediation: Novel approaches leveraging metal-tolerant plants (phytoremediation) or engineered microbial consortia for soil and water restoration. All related content focuses on the molecular level. This issue invites original research, reviews, and methodological advances from related researchers. By integrating multidisciplinary insights, the issue will provide a roadmap for mitigating heavy metal toxicity and promoting sustainable ecosystem health.
Dr. Xiaomeng Chen
Guest Editor
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Keywords
- metal
- oxidative stress
- stress response
- molecular function
- gene regulation
- metabolic regulation
- signaling pathway
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