Evolutionary Drivers and Adaptive Mechanisms in Algal Organellar Genomes
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: 20 August 2026 | Viewed by 1417
Special Issue Editor
Interests: organellar genome of algae; adaptive evolution; molecular evolution; evolutionary driving force; group I/II intron; horizontal gene transfer; molecular marker; comparative genomics; molecular diversity; biodiversity; genome rearrangement; gene duplication, inverted repeats; phylogenomic analysis; circular plasmid; DNA-directed RNA polymerase; intron-encoded protein
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Algae, as a phylogenetically diverse group of photosynthetic eukaryotes, serve as pivotal models for exploring organellar genome evolution due to their unique evolutionary trajectories shaped by endosymbiotic events, environmental adaptability, and genomic plasticity. Their chloroplast genomes and mitochondrial genomes exhibit remarkable diversity in genome architecture, including gene loss, horizontal gene transfer (HGT), structural rearrangements, intron content and diversity, and varying evolutionary rates. These features are influenced by complex drivers such as natural selection (e.g., optimizing photosynthesis under fluctuating light or nutrient conditions), genetic drift, and host-endosymbiont conflicts. Additionally, algal organellar genomes have evolved adaptive strategies to thrive in extreme habitats, from polar oceans to hypersaline lakes, offering insights into stress response mechanisms and ecological diversification. Advances in comparative genomics, phylogenomics, and molecular ecology have uncovered conserved functional modules (e.g., photosynthetic machinery) and lineage-specific innovations (e.g., novel metabolic pathways), yet critical gaps remain in understanding how evolutionary forces interact to shape organellar genome dynamics. This field is further enriched by interdisciplinary approaches linking genomic data with environmental adaptation, symbiosis, and biotechnology applications.
This special issue aims to compile cutting-edge research addressing unresolved questions in algal organellar genome evolution. We invite contributions spanning genome sequencing, molecular mechanisms of adaptation, evolutionary modeling, and ecological genomics. Topics of interest include but are not limited to: (1) drivers of organellar genome reduction and expansion, (2) adaptive evolution under abiotic/biotic stresses, (3) horizontal gene transfer and its functional implications, (4) co-evolution between nuclear and organellar genomes, and (5) biotechnological innovations inspired by algal organellar adaptability. By integrating studies across taxonomic groups and environments, this issue will advance mechanistic insights into how organellar genomes respond to evolutionary pressures and enhance their utility in synthetic biology, bioenergy, and climate resilience research. We encourage submissions employing innovative methodologies—from single-cell omics to CRISPR-based functional assays—to bridge knowledge gaps and foster cross-disciplinary collaborations. Join us in illuminating the evolutionary ingenuity of algal organelles and their broader implications for life sciences.
Dr. Feng Liu
Guest Editor
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Keywords
- organellar genome of algae
- molecular evolution
- secondary structure of intron
- evolutionary driving force
- horizontal gene transfer
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