The molecular revolution in fungal diagnostics: bridging gaps across clinical, agricultural, and environmental mycology

Abstract

Fungi play essential roles in human health, agriculture, and ecosystems, yet their diversity has long been underestimated due to reliance on morphology and culture. Molecular innovations—DNA barcoding, multilocus and whole-genome sequencing, NGS, and rapid nucleic acid diagnostics (qPCR, LAMP, CRISPR/Cas)—have revolutionized fungal taxonomy and detection. The ITS region now serves as a universal barcode, often complemented by other loci or genomic data. High-throughput and portable tools enable near real-time identification, supported by AI-driven bioinformatics for species recognition and resistance prediction. Despite progress, challenges remain in database accuracy, primer design, and standardization. Integrating molecular taxonomy, AI, and global collaboration promises scalable, reliable frameworks for fungal surveillance and control across clinical, agricultural, and environmental domains.