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Ionizing radiation attracts soil fungi
Nelli N Zhdanova1, Tatyana Tugay, John Dighton
1Institute of Microbiology & Virology, National Academy of Sciences of the Ukraine, Kiev 25214, Ukraine.
Mycological Research
|October 28, 2004
Summary
Certain fungi exhibit radiosynthesis, growing towards ionizing radiation sources like those found at Chernobyl. This study confirms that radiation, not carbon, attracts fungal growth, demonstrating a unique adaptation to radioactive environments.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Radiobiology
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Fungi isolated near Chernobyl exhibit unique adaptations to radioactive environments.
- Microfungi can decompose radioactive 'hot particles,' suggesting a response to radiation.
- Previous observations suggested fungi were attracted to radioactive sources due to carbon content.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the direct response of fungi to ionizing radiation, independent of carbon sources.
- To determine if fungi exhibit directional growth towards radiation.
- To elucidate the mechanisms behind fungal adaptation to radioactive environments.
Main Methods:
- Developed experimental protocols to isolate the effects of ionizing radiation.
- Exposed fungal spores and hyphae to directional sources of beta and gamma radiation.
- Measured fungal growth responses to controlled radiation stimuli.
Main Results:
- Ionizing radiation, specifically beta and gamma radiation, was shown to promote directional fungal hyphal growth.
- Fungal hyphae actively grew towards the source of ionizing radiation in experimental conditions.
- This directional growth response was observed independently of carbon-based resources.
Conclusions:
- Fungi demonstrate a direct, positive taxis towards ionizing radiation.
- This radiosensitive growth mechanism is a key adaptation for fungi in high-radiation environments like Chernobyl.
- The findings challenge previous assumptions and highlight a novel biological response to radiation.