Fungi are a major eukaryotic lineage studied across biological topics for their distinct cellular organization, ecological roles, and interactions with other organisms. They possess chitinous cell walls, typically form filamentous hyphae organized into mycelia, and reproduce via diverse sexual and asexual spores. Fungi function as principal decomposers of organic matter, key symbionts in mycorrhizal and lichen associations, and potent pathogens of plants, animals, and humans. Their metabolic versatility underpins numerous biotechnological and research applications, including model systems for genetics and cell biology, production of enzymes and secondary metabolites, and regulation of nutrient cycling in ecosystems.
Fungal infections kill millions of people each year, and modern medicine is struggling to keep up. But researchers at McMaster University have identified a molecule that may help turn the tide—butyrolactol A, a chemical compound ...
Cell & Microbiology
Jan 7, 2026
0
28
It's an exciting time to be a microbiologist working in rice research. A global push towards the cultivation of water-saving rice is enabling farmers to harness the power of microbes that thrive in less water.
Ecology
Jan 5, 2026
0
27
When a maize plant is attacked by the fungus Ustilago maydis, tumor-like tissue growths occur at the site of infection. How the pathogen causes this response in its host has long been unknown. But a University of Bonn study ...
Cell & Microbiology
Jan 5, 2026
0
16
A new study published in Ecology Letters has uncovered the mechanisms underlying plant community assembly and biodiversity maintenance, revealing that plant-associated microorganisms play a pivotal yet underappreciated role ...
Ecology
Jan 5, 2026
0
12
Spruce bark is rich in phenolic compounds that protect trees from pathogenic fungi. A research team at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology in Jena has investigated how these plant defenses function within the food ...
Plants & Animals
Dec 29, 2025
0
733
A new study involving the Medical University of Vienna shows how the multi-resistant fungus Candida auris utilizes carbon dioxide (CO₂) to survive on the skin and become resistant to antifungal therapies. The research team ...
Cell & Microbiology
Dec 23, 2025
0
132
A team of researchers from Yokohama National University, Japan, have discovered a previously unknown species of marine fungus that can kill harmful, bloom-forming algae.
Cell & Microbiology
Dec 17, 2025
0
28
Animals help disperse seeds and spores for many plant and fungal species. This typically happens when animals eat the fruiting bodies of plants and fungi and pass seeds and spores through their digestive systems.
Ecology
Dec 17, 2025
0
17
As global populations continue to grow, so does the need for nutritious food and efficient manufacturing processes. Current food production practices generate side streams that could be recycled.
Plants & Animals
Dec 17, 2025
0
21
Scientists have discovered that beneficial root-dwelling fungi boost plant resilience to disease by remodeling the plant cell membrane at pathogen infection sites—offering critical new insights into how plants coordinate ...
Plants & Animals
Dec 11, 2025
0
86
