Environmental Microbiology for Sustainable Bioenergy Solutions
A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050).
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 March 2026 | Viewed by 8
Special Issue Editor
Interests: microbial biotechnology; vegetal biotechnology; environmental biotechnology; biofuels; molecular dynamics simulation; bioinformatics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The pursuit of climate neutrality and resource efficiency necessitates transformative innovations within the energy and bioresource sectors. Central to this transition is the deployment of advanced microbial systems capable of converting renewable biomass and organic waste streams into sustainable bioenergy carriers. Environmental microbiology thus emerges as a critical scientific pillar underpinning the development of integrated, scalable, and circular bioenergy solutions.
This Special Issue aims to consolidate cutting-edge research at the interface of microbiology, biotechnology, and environmental systems science, with a particular emphasis on the role of microbial processes in enabling the sustainable production of biofuels, biogas, hydrogen, and other energy vectors. In addition, microbial contributions to the development of advanced biobased materials—such as bio-based polymers, composites, and functional materials derived from microbial processes—are also within the scope of this Issue, especially where they support circularity, decarbonization, and energy storage applications.
Contributions are expected to critically advance the knowledge base required for embedding bioenergy pathways within a broader circular and sustainable bioeconomy framework.
We welcome original research, comprehensive reviews, and methodological advances addressing—though not limited to—the following thematic areas:
- Engineered microbial consortia and synthetic biology approaches for optimized bioconversion;
- Microbial dynamics and process enhancement in anaerobic digestion and methanogenesis;
- Algal and phototrophic microbial platforms for next-generation biofuels;
- Microbial electrochemical systems and bio-based energy storage technologies;
- Bioconversion of agro-industrial residues and biowaste within circular value chains;
- Functional and structural microbial ecology in bioenergy production systems;
- Multi-omics approaches for elucidating microbial metabolism and system optimization;
- Environmental, life-cycle, and socio-economic assessments of microbiology-driven bioenergy technologies in the context of the circular bioeconomy;
- Microbial production and valorization of advanced biobased materials supporting sustainable energy and materials innovation.
Through the integration of interdisciplinary perspectives and methodological advances, environmental microbiology is positioned as a foundational pillar of the circular bioeconomy. This Special Issue seeks to support the decarbonization of the energy sector while promoting the sustainable valorization of bioresources.
Dr. Alina Butu
Guest Editor
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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
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. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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 2400 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.
Keywords
- environmental microbiology
- bioenergy production
- microbial bioconversion
- circular bioeconomy
- anaerobic digestion
- microbial consortia
- biofuels and biogas
- biobased materials
- synthetic biology
- microbial electrochemical systems
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
- Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
- Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
- Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
- External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
- Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.
Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.
