Connecting the dots on the transition between hyphal and mycelial-cord fungal morphotypes
Abstract
How cells form functional multicellular organs is still a fundamental question in life science. Mycelial cords are a dedicated funga,l organ with the capacity to self-repair and grow and build controlled living architectures. Cord formation occurs through linear ag,gregations of hyphae - the filamentous structure of fungi, building specialized high-conductivity linear channels, with variable dia,meter/length sizes. The cords are formed by decomposer fungi in forest soils, constituting a living sensor to ensure better survival, and competitiveness of fungi in harsh forest niches, functioning as foraging devices for nutrient/water long-distance translocation, across the formed networks. These amazing mycological structures were first observed decades ago, but what signal(s) trigger the in,itiation of cord formation, and what genetic elements regulate cord movement direction are open unresolved questions. Answering thes,e questions will greatly impact our understanding of fungal biology and ecology, and may help us to design ?programable? living sens,ors with self-repair capacity for numerous on-site applications. This research constitutes a fundamental effort to lay the grounds f,or a precise analysis of the transition between hyphal and mycelial-cord fungal morphotypes.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Nov 04, 2022
- Source ID
- N629092312007
Entities
People
- Cristina Silva Pereira
Organizations
- NOVA University Lisbon
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy