Fungal Species:  Schizophyllum commune

Traumatic implantation keratitis caused by Schizophyllum commune in Central India

This report describes two patients in India who developed serious fungal eye infections (keratitis) after corneal injuries. The infection was caused by Schizophyllum commune, a mushroom-like fungus found on decaying wood. Despite aggressive treatment with antifungal medications and surgery, both patients lost vision in their affected eyes. The case highlights how difficult it is to identify and treat this rare fungus.

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Evidence for the Existence of Mating Subtypes Within the Schizophyllum commune: Mating Behavior and Genetic Divergence

Researchers discovered that a common fungus called Schizophyllum commune has hidden genetic subtypes within its mating types that weren’t recognized before. By studying 149 fungal strains and analyzing their mating behavior, they found that fungi with the same mating type could still behave differently when reproducing. Specific genes controlling pheromone chemicals were identified as responsible for these differences, revealing more complexity in fungal reproduction than previously understood.

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Morphogenesis, starvation, and light responses in a mushroom-forming fungus revealed by long-read sequencing and extensive expression profiling

Researchers created a detailed genetic instruction manual for a common mushroom species called Coprinopsis cinerea. Using advanced sequencing technology, they identified all the genes and precisely mapped where genes start and stop, what controls them, and how they respond to light and hunger. This improved genetic map reveals how mushrooms form fruiting bodies and survive changing environmental conditions, providing a valuable resource for understanding mushroom biology and improving mushroom cultivation.

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Healthcare-associated fungal infections and emerging pathogens during the COVID-19 pandemic

During the COVID-19 pandemic, fungal infections became a serious complication in hospitalized patients, especially those receiving steroids and other immune-suppressing treatments. Common fungal pathogens like Candida and Aspergillus caused dangerous coinfections, with infection rates varying significantly by region. Current antifungal medications have significant limitations including toxicity and resistance, highlighting the urgent need for new and safer antifungal treatments.

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Orthrus: a Pumilio-family gene involved in fruiting body and dark stipe development in Coprinopsis cinerea

Scientists studied a gene called ort2 in a common lab mushroom species to understand how mushrooms develop their fruiting bodies. They found that this gene is particularly important for developing dark stipes – elongated structures that mushrooms grow in darkness to push themselves toward light. By turning this gene off or increasing its activity, researchers could control how many dark stipes formed, suggesting this gene could have practical applications in mushroom farming.

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A Comprehensive Review on Studying and Developing Guidelines to Standardize the Inspection of Properties and Production Methods for Mycelium-Bound Composites in Bio-Based Building Material Applications

This review examines mycelium-based composites, which are innovative building materials made from fungal networks grown on agricultural waste. These eco-friendly materials are biodegradable and use less energy to produce than traditional construction materials. The authors analyze current testing methods and propose standardized production guidelines to ensure consistent quality, helping make these sustainable materials more reliable for widespread use in buildings and construction.

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The contribution of tropical long-term studies to mycology

Scientists have long known less about fungi in tropical regions compared to temperate areas. This paper highlights how studying the same fungal communities over many years in tropical locations like Guyana reveals important discoveries about fungal diversity, including new species and unique ecological relationships. The authors show that public scientific databases contain far fewer fungal records from tropical regions than non-tropical ones, suggesting we may be missing crucial information about fungal biodiversity and how to protect it.

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Nuclear behavior in Coprinus comatus from Japan and estimation of the lifecycle

Coprinus comatus, also known as the shaggy mane mushroom, is a nutritious edible mushroom with antioxidant properties. Researchers examined the genetic structure of this mushroom by counting nuclei in its spores and cells to understand how it reproduces. They discovered that the mushroom produces unique spores containing two nuclei and identified a new reproductive structure called oidia. This research will help farmers and breeders develop better cultivation and breeding strategies for this mushroom.

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The first described case of Fomitiporella micropora infection in humans: A heart transplant recipient diagnosed by fungal PCR

A heart transplant patient developed a slow-growing lump on his shin that turned out to be caused by a rare fungus never before seen in humans. Doctors removed the lump surgically and used advanced genetic testing to identify the unusual fungus as Fomitiporella micropora. The patient received antifungal medication and the wound healed completely, highlighting how modern genetic tests can identify rare infections that traditional methods might miss.

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