eLearning Module on Applied Mycology

Welcome to our e-lecture lessons on Applied Mycology!

Fungi are highly diverse, perform important ecological functions, and show a high potential for biotechnological usage for foods and in pharmaceutical sectors. Therefore, since 2012, mycologists as well as biotechnologists, geneticists, and molecular biologists working with fungi, collaborate in order to increase our knowledge on fungal diversity, ecology, molecular biology, and natural products. They receive support for their research in the project "Integrative Fungal Research" by LOEWE 2013-2016.

For the present module, a lecture series with contributions by IPF project leaders and invited scientists was recorded by video. Each video was used as a basis for a lesson including introductory information and quiz questions.

Enjoy these contributions full of fascinating knowledge on fungi and their surprising capacities!

A. Diversity and ecology of fungi

A1. Meike Piepenbring

This is an introduction to the IPF project, diversity of fungi, and their properties valuable for mankind. 

A2. Marco Thines

Get to know oomycetes, learn about their different life strategies and their potential for human health!

A3. Ewald Langer

Get to know the national park “Kellerwald-Edersee” and the importance of fungi as indicators for natural beech forest! 

A4. Gerhard Kost

This lesson focuses on the ecology, morphology, and interactions of fungi in the tropics.  

B. Fungal biochemistry

B1. Dirk Hoffmeister

Discover general mechanisms of fungal biosynthesis that lead to a high diversity of chemical compounds! 

B2. Helge Bode

This lesson focuses on fungal non-ribosomal-peptide and polyketide synthesis. 

B3. Imke Schmitt

Learn about lichens and secondary metabolites they produce! 

B4. Richard Splivallo

This talk refers to fungal volatiles, their functions in organismic interactions, and how they are used in biotechnology. 

C. Fungi in biotechnology and food industry

C1. Eckhard Boles

The bakers´ yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, is used for genetic engineering, e.g.,  to generate specialty lipids. 

C2. Michael Bölker

Learn about glycolipids, their properties, biosynthesis, and biological functions!

C3. Martin Rühl

You will be impressed by the diversity of applications of fungi in food industry! 

C4. Roland Kirschner

Let´s marvel at how Taiwanese people cultivate fungi and use them as food, for food preparation, and medicine!

Danksagung

Hinweis

These lessons are used for teaching in the LOEWE Research Cluster Integrative Fungal Research.

This module was elaborated at the Goethe University, Department of Mycology, supported by studiumdigitale.