Advances in Lichens and Non-Flowering Plants Fungal Endophytes Research provides a better understanding of endophytic fungal diversity from lichens and non-flowering plants, and their applications. 

Beneficial plant-colonizing fungi deliver benefits to their hosts by promoting growth, producing secondary metabolites, and enhancing resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. Mycorrhizae and endophytic fungi are the hidden companions of plants, living a mutually beneficial life inside the host plant. With the development of techniques of molecular biology, it has become possible to establish the correct identity of these fungi, and to know their interactions with the host and other micro-organisms. The unique attributes of fungi thus herald great promise for their application in biotechnology and industry. Fungi can be grown with relative ease, making production at scale viable. The search for fungal biodiversity, and the constructionof a living fungi collection, have both incredible economic potential in locating organisms with novel biotechnological uses that will lead to novel products. Fungi have provided the world with penicillin, lovastatin, and other globally significant medicines, and they remain an untapped resource with enormous industrial potential. 

Advances in Lichens and Non-Flowering Plants Fungal Endophytes Research, Volume 2 discusses the identification and application of biomolecules in endophyte research. It illustrates fungal production of important bioactive metabolites. It highlights the applications and includes specific discussion on vitamin, dairy, and food industries, as well as important uses in pharmaceutical, biomedicine, and agriculture industries. A companion Volume 1 discusses fungal endophytes biodiversity and the ecological perspective. It should be useful to researchers and students studying fungal biology, biotechnology, microbiology, agriculture, molecular biology, environmental biology, and related subjects.

Ahmed M. Abdel-Azeem is a leading Egyptian mycologist and Professor at Suez Canal University and visiting professor in many international universities in USA, Europe, Asia and Africa, recognized for advancing fungal research and conservation in the Arab world and Africa. His work integrates taxonomy, ecology, and molecular approaches, with notable expertise in Ascomycota. He produced the first comprehensive Egyptian fungal checklist and leads “Zemo’s Lab,” a regional hub for fungal identification. A strong advocate for fungal conservation, he founded the Arab Society for Fungal Conservation and key awareness initiatives. He has authored over 150 publications , 17 books and plays active roles in international mycological organizations, bridging taxonomy and conservation biology.