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Microfluidic Tools for Probing Fungal-Microbial Interactions at the Cellular Level

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Published on: June 23, 2022

Fungal impacts on Earth's ecosystems.

Nicola T Case¹, Sarah J Gurr^2,3, Matthew C Fisher⁴

¹Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

|February 5, 2025

Summary

Fungi are diverse organisms crucial for ecosystems and human applications, but also pose threats. Research explores harnessing fungal potential to combat these challenges, from bioeconomy to health.

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Area of Science:

Mycology
Ecology
Biotechnology

Background:

The fungal kingdom comprises over two million species, with most remaining undescribed.
Fungi are essential heterotrophs for nutrient cycling and carbon sequestration in ecosystems.
Fungi have diverse applications in food, beverages, biofuels, and pharmaceuticals, but also cause significant infections.

Purpose of the Study:

To examine the threats posed by fungi to civilization.
To investigate opportunities for utilizing fungi to address these threats.
To explore the potential of fungi in the expanding bioeconomy.

Main Methods:

Genomic surveys to assess fungal biodiversity.
Review of existing and potential applications of fungi.
Analysis of fungal threats and their drivers, including climate change.

Main Results:

Fungal biodiversity is vast and largely unexplored.
Fungi present both risks (infections) and opportunities (bioeconomy, pharmaceuticals).
Genomic data and genome-editing tools offer new avenues for fungal research and application.

Conclusions:

Fungi represent a critical frontier in understanding biodiversity and ecological processes.
Harnessing fungal capabilities can provide solutions to global challenges.
Further research is needed to mitigate fungal threats and leverage their benefits.