Mushroom DNA Barcoding Project: Sequencing a Segment of the 28S rRNA Gene

Author: mycolabadmin
2020-06-25
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Summary

This study describes an educational project where undergraduate students learned to identify mushrooms using DNA analysis techniques. The project combined field collection of mushrooms with laboratory work to extract and analyze DNA sequences that could confirm the identity of different species. This research has several real-world implications: • Helps ensure accurate identification of mushrooms, which is crucial for food safety and avoiding toxic species • Provides hands-on training for future scientists in modern molecular biology techniques • Contributes to our understanding of mushroom diversity and evolution • Demonstrates how DNA technology can be used to verify traditional identification methods • Shows how scientific education can be made more engaging through practical, project-based learning

Background

DNA barcoding is a molecular methodology for species identification developed over the last two decades that uses short genetic markers to identify species. While first developed for butterflies in 2003, it has become an important tool for mushroom identification since morphological identification alone is not always sufficient. The nuclear internal transcribed spacer (nrITS) and 28S nuclear ribosomal large subunit (LSU) rRNA markers are commonly used for fungal species discrimination.

Objective

The project aimed to teach undergraduate biology students DNA barcoding techniques through a 6-8 week practical project involving mushroom identification. The specific objectives were to: 1) verify morphologically based identifications of collected mushrooms using molecular methods, and 2) assess phylogenetic relationships between different mushroom species collected.

Results

The DNA barcoding successfully confirmed morphological identifications of most collected mushroom species. The phylogenetic analysis showed expected relationships between species, with Mycena species clustering together, as did Agaricus and Trametes species. The analysis confirmed distinctions between mushroom orders Polyporales and Agaricales. The rare Agaricus geesterani’s DNA sequence was newly contributed to the UNITE database.

Conclusion

The DNA barcoding project proved to be an effective educational tool that allowed students to verify mushroom identifications and assess phylogenetic relationships. The methodology was robust and straightforward, using readily available reagents and equipment at relatively low cost. The project successfully combined fieldwork, molecular techniques and bioinformatics while teaching students important research skills through project-based learning.

Published in:Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education,
Study Type:Educational Research Project,
Source: 10.1002/bmb.21388