Research Topic: qPCR

Quantification of fungal biomass in mycelium composites made from diverse biogenic side streams

Researchers developed a new method to measure how much fungal growth occurs in mycelium-based composite materials, which are sustainable alternatives to plastic packaging and insulation. By analyzing fungal DNA, they tested 20 different combinations of three mushroom species with various waste materials from agriculture and food production. The results show that the amount of fungal growth needed for stable, usable materials varies significantly depending on which mushroom species is used and what waste material serves as the base.

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A new molecular seed assay to predict Ustilago nuda field infection levels

Scientists developed a new DNA-based test to detect a fungus that infects barley seeds and causes crop disease. This test is faster and more accurate than the current method of manually inspecting seeds under a microscope. By using this new test, farmers can better decide which seeds need treatment, reducing unnecessary use of pesticides while still preventing disease outbreaks in their fields.

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Occurrence of Aspergillus and Penicillium Species, Accumulation of Fungal Secondary Metabolites, and qPCR Detection of Potential Aflatoxigenic Aspergillus Species in Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Seeds from Different Farming Systems

This study examined chickpea seeds purchased from stores to check for dangerous fungi and toxins they produce. Researchers found that organic chickpeas had more fungal contamination than conventionally grown ones. While most of the dangerous fungi didn’t produce harmful toxins in the seeds, their presence suggests chickpeas should be regularly tested to keep consumers safe.

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Quantification of fungal biomass in mycelium composites made from diverse biogenic side streams

Scientists have developed a new method to measure how much fungal material is actually in mushroom-based composites, which are sustainable alternatives to plastics. By extracting and analyzing fungal DNA, they found that different mushroom species require different amounts of fungal growth to create stable materials, and the type of waste material used also matters significantly. This research helps manufacturers optimize production of these eco-friendly composites while also showing that various agricultural and industrial waste streams can be successfully converted into useful materials.

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Keep the Hospital Clean: Diagnostic Performance of Ten Different Molecular and Culture-Based Methods to Detect Candidozyma (Candida) auris

This study tested different methods to detect a dangerous hospital fungus called Candida auris. Researchers compared growing the fungus on special plates and using molecular tests on patient samples. They found that molecular tests (qPCR) were most sensitive for detecting low levels of the fungus, while growing it on special plates worked well for higher levels. The best approach depends on whether a hospital is dealing with an outbreak or routine screening.

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