Research lead by Nathan Stewart at Ballhorn Lab of PSU and funded by Portland State, Oregon Mycological Society, Puget Sound Mycological Society, and National Science Foundation leads to very promising preliminary findings.
It’s growing more common knowledge that Bacteria is integral to most life on earth, found on and in humans, plants, and animals. But did you know that there’s also Bacteria on and in Fungi?
In a very underdeveloped borderlands-frontier of Fungal and Bacterial Sciences, not much is known about the relationship, communication, transformation, symbiosis, or antagonization between Fungi and Bacteria.
That’s where this exciting and cutting-edge (as of writing) ongoing two year study of Bacteria in Hyphosphere and Fruiting bodies reveal that there is a difference in the type of bacteria between the Fruiting Bodies (the mushroom) and the Hyphosphere (Mycelium and Substrate).
The preliminary findings also notes that there are differences in the bacteria between different species and genus of Fungi as well.
The results and findings of this research allow for further exploration between the Fungi and Bacteria to include potential research options such as;
- The Study of co-evolutionary Bacteria in tandem with Fungal Evolution.
- Mapping out theoretical possibilities and taxonomy of Fungal evolution cross referenced with Bacterial Evolution.
- The research of Bacteria cultures to aide and assist in Commercial production of Fungi, Increasing yields.
- The theoretical possibility of Fungi selectively cultivating it’s own Bacterial Cultures.
- Further research into the monoculture of specific Fungi throughout various stages of it’s life cycle.
- And much more!
To Recap;
If you look at science like a tech tree, all of the dots connect and build scaffolding to higher insights and knowledge. Each researched piece is crucial for supporting evidence into taking the next step, and it’s pretty exciting to know that there’s still more to be explored within our Universe.
For more information on the research in question, pay attention to the news at https://www.pdx.edu/biology/ or reach out to the Ballhorn Lab of PSU and provide some support if you can.
This information was made possible by the Oregon Mycological Society hosting a Seminar in September 2023 discussing the above contents.
Have a great and optimistic day, thank you for being excited about the frontiers of fungal science.
