Mycology is the branch of biological sciences dedicated to the study of fungi, including true fungi (kingdom Fungi) and traditionally associated fungal-like organisms. It encompasses the taxonomy, systematics, phylogeny, morphology, physiology, genetics, and ecology of fungi, as well as their biochemical pathways and secondary metabolites. Mycological research investigates fungal reproduction, development, and interactions with other organisms, such as symbioses (e.g., mycorrhizae, lichens), pathogenesis in plants, animals, and humans, and roles in decomposition and nutrient cycling. The discipline also underpins applied fields including medical mycology, industrial fermentation, biotechnology, agriculture, food science, and environmental monitoring and remediation.
A new study sheds light on the behavior of yeast cells in the gut, paving the way for new lines of yeast that more efficiently produce therapeutic drugs tailored to address specific diseases. The research is published in ...
Molecular & Computational biology
Feb 24, 2026
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Jessica Allen crunched through fallen leaves among Manzanita trees hunting for something few have spotted before: the Manzanita butter clump—a rare and little-known yellow mushroom found, so far, only along North America's ...
Ecology
Feb 17, 2026
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19
Turfgrass found on golf courses, athletic fields and lawns is susceptible to a fungal pathogen known as dollar spot disease, which is characterized by the appearance of circular spots of dead turf about the size of a silver ...
Molecular & Computational biology
Feb 12, 2026
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11
The mushrooms spread out on the chopping board seemed normal enough. They were rich and dense, and had a strong earthy aroma. In the saucepan, they melted—along with the cheese—to form a creamy pasta sauce.
Space Exploration
Feb 3, 2026
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36
Fungi are the hidden architects of our ecosystems, acting as everything from helpful partners for plants to aggressive decomposers that recycle dead wood. However, many fungi don't stick to just one job; they can switch lifestyles ...
Molecular & Computational biology
Jan 28, 2026
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19
A large-scale population genomic study has shed new light on the evolutionary and domestication history of the button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus), one of the most widely cultivated edible fungi in the world.
Evolution
Jan 12, 2026
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31
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
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28
Like many mushroom harvesters, I got interested in foraging for fungi during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Plants & Animals
Nov 24, 2025
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14
Several species of tiny fungi completely new to science—and all from Alberta—have been discovered through University of Alberta research.
Ecology
Nov 20, 2025
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29
A Chinese plant scientist at the University of Michigan who drew national attention in June 2025 when she was arrested and accused along with another Chinese scientist of smuggling a crop-damaging fungus into the U.S. pleaded ...
Cell & Microbiology
Nov 13, 2025
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