Fungi Commons^™

Analyzing Fungal Growth Dynamics Under Different Environmental Conditions Using A Lotka–Volterra Competition System, Maria Ordonez, Fabrio Araujo

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

Fungi play a critical role in ecosystems as decomposers that recycle nutrients and maintain environmental balance. Their populations are influenced by multiple environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, nutrient availability, and interactions with other organisms. In this project, the Lotka–Volterra model is used to analyze how competing fungal species interact and how these interactions influence population dynamics over time. By modeling two fungal populations competing for the same limited resources, the equations illustrate how environmental conditions and competition coefficients determine whether one species dominates; both species coexist, or one species becomes extinct. The model provides insight into how changes in …

Validation Of A Real-Time Pcr Laboratory Developed Test For The Detection Of Pneumocystis Jirovecii In Bronchoalveolar Lavage Samples, Caitlyn Moon

Honors Scholar Theses

Pneumocystis jirovecii is an opportunistic, host-obligate fungal pathogen responsible for causing P. jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) in humans. PJP is treated with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX), a strong broad-spectrum antibiotic that carries risk of renal and hepatotoxicity. Therefore, rapid diagnosis or exclusion of PJP is crucial to ensure PJP-positive patients receive effective treatment and PJP-negative patients avoid unnecessary antibiotics. Unlike most microorganisms, P. jirovecii cannot be cultured, presenting complications for the typical methods of diagnosing fungal pathogens. Historically, the gold standard for diagnosis was direct microscopic examination with stains such as methenamine silver and calcofluor white, but this diagnostic technique requires highly skilled …

Light-Induced Oslike1 Phosphorylation Enhances Rice Resistance Against Blast Disease, Jiangtao Liu, Lei Su, Wenya Wang, Jintao Wang, Weizhong Chen, Zhixiang Yang, Leiyun Yang, Gang Li, Xinyu Liu, Haifeng Zhang, Zhongqiang Qi, Yongfeng Liu, Yuqiang Liu, Ping Wang, Muxing Liu, Zhengguang Zhang

School of Graduate Studies Faculty Publications

Rice blast caused by Magnaporthe oryzae poses a major threat to world food supply. Conditions conducive to the disease include insufficient light. Our previous studies found that light-dependent phosphorylation of light-harvesting complex II protein (LHCB5) mediates rice immunity; however, the underlying mechanisms, in particular, the upstream regulators of LHCB5 phosphorylation, remain unknown. Here, we show that OsLIKE1 functions as a lectin receptor-like kinase (LecRLK) to play a critical role in rice resistance against M. oryzae. OsLIKE1 interacts with and phosphorylates LHCB5. In addition, we find two phosphorylation sites in the kinase domain of OsLIKE1 important for its auto-phosphorylation and phosphorylation …

Advancing Peptide-Based Vaccines Against Candida: A Comparative Perspective On Liposomal And Synthetic Formulations, Hong Xin

School of Graduate Studies Faculty Publications

The growing threat of multidrug-resistant fungal pathogens, especially Candida auris, has underscored the need for effective antifungal vaccines. This commentary highlights recent advances in peptide-based vaccination using the SNAP (Spontaneous Nanoliposome Antigen Presentation) platform, focusing on the FM-SNAP vaccine, a bivalent liposomal formulation targeting the surface-expressed peptides fructose bisphosphate aldolase (Fba) and methionine synthase (Met6). Compared to earlier constructs such as MP12, FM-SNAP achieves superior immunogenicity and long-lasting protection at lower antigen doses. It elicits balanced Th1/Th2 cytokine responses and demonstrates durable efficacy in both immunocompetent and complement-deficient mouse models. The platform's compatibility with clinically approved adjuvants (MPLA and QS-21), …

Distinct Echinocandin Responses Of Candida Albicans And Candida Auris Cell Walls Revealed By Solid-State Nmr, Malitha C. Dickwella Widanage, Kalpana Singh, Jizhou Li, Jayasubba Reddy Yarava, Faith J. Scott, Yifan Xu, Neil A.R. Gow, Frederic Mentink-Vigier, Ping Wang, Frederic Lamoth, Tuo Wang

School of Graduate Studies Faculty Publications

Invasive candidiasis affects 1.6 million people annually, with high mortality among immunocompromised and hospitalized patients. Echinocandins are frontline antifungals, but rising resistance limits their efficacy. Here, we show that Candida albicans and multidrug-resistant Candida auris share a conserved cell wall architecture yet differ markedly in their adaptive responses to echinocandins. Solid-state NMR reveals that both species possess a rigid inner layer of tightly associated chitin microfibrils and β−1,3-glucans, supported by a flexible matrix of β−1,6-glucans and additional β−1,3-glucans. Outer mannan fibrils rely on α−1,2-linked sidechains to maintain contact with the inner wall. In both species, caspofungin rigidifies β−1,6-glucans and mannan …

Polymorphic Α-Glucans As Structural Scaffolds In Cryptococcus Cell Walls For Chitin, Capsule, And Melanin: Insights From 13c And 1h Solid-State Nmr, Ankur Ankur, Jayasubba Reddy Yarava, Isha Gautam, Faith J. Scott, Frederic Mentink-Vigier, Christine Chrissian, Li Xie, Dibakar Roy, Ruth E. Stark, Tamara L. Doering, Ping Wang, Tuo Wang

School of Graduate Studies Faculty Publications

Cryptococcus species are major fungal pathogens responsible for life-threatening infections in approximately a million individuals globally each year, with alarmingly high mortality rates. These fungi are distinguished by a distinctive cell wall architecture further reinforced by two virulence-associated layers, melanin and capsule, rendering them insensitive to antifungal agents targeting the cell wall, such as echinocandins. The molecular interplay between these three biomolecular layers remains poorly understood. Here we employ solid-state NMR spectroscopy to examine intact cells of both wild-type and capsule-deficient strains of C. neoformans, along with melanized cells. High-resolution 13C and 1H data revealed five distinct structural forms of …

Use Of High-Throughput Phenomics With And Without Fungicide As A Wheat Breeding Tool, Gerardo Ivan Rivera Collazo

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Wheat (Triticum aestivum) is an important food staple for many countries around the world and current consumption and production data demonstrate a production deficit. Breeders are challenged to help close this gap in production by selecting better cultivars with improved yields. Several methods aim to accelerate the breeding process to reduce the time required for releasing an elite variety. One of the main breeding bottlenecks is the lack of fast and reliable phenotypic data acquisition that could dissect physiological and morphological plant data. High-throughput remote sensing could have the potential to reduce this bottleneck by streamlining data acquisition, …

Chemical And Physical Characterization Of Verbenaceae Essential Oils Using Modern Analytical Methods And Chemometrics, Aleksandra N. Hilliard

Master's Theses

Essential oils have been used for generations to treat various health issues, including mitigating insomnia, reducing stress, inflammation, and preserving foods, to mention a few. Essential oils have complex chemistry, which defines the essence of the host plant. Recently, increased commercial uses of essential oils have prompted attention at the governmental level to monitor the chemical, physical, or biological activity of essential oils. This study is an attempt to add new information for consumers to the understanding of the composition of essential oils.

Modern analytical techniques including FTIR-ATR, GC-MS, LC-MS-MS, multivariate analysis statistics, and physio-chemical techniques (electrochemistry, DPPH, TRC, and …

The Multifunctional Ascorbate Peroxidase Moapx1 Secreted By Magnaporthe Oryzae Mediates The Suppression Of Rice Immunity, Muxing Liu, Ziqian Guo, Jiexiong Hu, Yuke Chen, Fang Chen, Weizhong Chen, Wenya Wang, Boyang Ye, Zhixiang Yang, Gang Li, Xinyu Liu, Haifeng Zhang, Ping Wang, Zhengguang Zhang

School of Graduate Studies Faculty Publications

Fungi secrete effector proteins, including extracellular redox enzymes, to inhibit host immunity. Redox enzymes have been hypothesized to inhibit host reactive oxygen species (ROS); however, how they suppress host immunity remains unknown. We characterized an extracellular ascorbate peroxidase (MoApx1) that is secreted into rice chloroplasts by the rice blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae. MoApx1 displays multifunctional capabilities that significantly contribute to fungal virulence. Firstly, MoApx1 neutralizes host-derived H2O2 within the chloroplast through its peroxidase activity, thereby inhibiting chloroplast ROS (cROS)-mediated defense responses. Secondly, MoApx1 targets the photosystem I subunit OsPsaD, disrupting photosynthetic electron transport to further suppress cROS production. Most importantly, …

A Fatal Triad: Concurrent Pulmonary Infections With Candida, Mucorales, And Aspergillus In An Immunocompromised Patient With Underlying Vasculitis And Diabetes, Paridhi Ghai, Kavitha Gopalratnam

Posters

We present a case of disseminated fungal disease involving simultaneous infections with Candida, Mucorales, and Aspergillus.

A Rising Threat: Epidemiologic Trends In Incidence, Mortality, And Cost Of Candida Endocarditis In The United States, Didien Meyahnwi Md, Ashraf Ahmed, Tawanda Zinyandu, Isaac Opoku Md

Posters

Candida Endocarditis (CE) is a rare yet critical form of infective endocarditis (IE), accounting for approximately 1% of all IE cases. In light of the evolving epidemiology of candidemia, this study aims to elucidate any associated shifts in the epidemiology of CE within the United States.

Dataset For Comparative Analysis Of Precision Metagenomics And Traditional Methods In Urinary Tract Infection Diagnostics, Rob E. Carpenter, Sadia Almas, Vaibhav Tamrakar, Rahul Sharma

Human Resource Development Faculty Publications and Presentations

This study presents a comprehensive dataset comparing three diagnostic methodologies—microbial culture, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and precision metagenomics (precision metagenomics)—for the detection and classification of uropathogens in urine samples from patients with suspected urinary tract infections (UTIs). While microbial culture remains the gold standard for UTI diagnosis, it has limitations in sensitivity, particularly for fastidious or non-culturable microorganisms. PCR offers higher sensitivity but is restricted to pre-targeted organisms, limiting its diagnostic range. Precision Metagenomics, a target-agnostic sequencing method, provides a more inclusive approach by enabling the identification of a broad spectrum of pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, without …

Utilizing Β-Gal To Visualize Selective Transport Of The Ssa4 Gene In S.Cerevisiae, Ian M. Staertow, Rebecca L. Adams Phd

Science University Research Symposium (SURS)

In eukaryotic cells such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae, protein synthesis begins with the transport of mRNA from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. In order for mRNA to leave the nucleus, it must first bind to specific transport proteins which can then facilitate transport via the nuclear pore complex (NPC), a selectively permeable membrane within the cell's nuclear envelope. Under environmental stress, such as heat shock, S. cerevisiae cells modulate transport rates. In this case, in heat stress or “heat shock” most mRNA transcripts will remain in the nucleus. The SSA4 transcript encodes for a chaperone protein which facilitates the subsequent export …

A Case Displaying The Importance Of Jak1 And Jak2 Gene Transcription In Antifungal Defense Against Coccidioidomycosis, Jennifer K. Priessnitz, Taylor Colore, Nelson Nicolasora

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

This case report explores the consequences of ruxolitinib via inhibition janus kinase 1 (JAK1) and JAK2 pathways in the context of fungal defense in a patient diagnosed with pulmonary coccidioidomycosis during ruxolitinib therapy for polycythemia vera. The patient experienced a relapse of pulmonary coccidioidomycosis after antifungal treatment was discontinued while continuing ruxolitinib use. This case illustrates the heightened risk of discontinuing antifungal therapy in endemic regions, emphasizing the critical need for continued monitoring. Furthermore, this case underscores the vital role of the JAK1 and JAK2 signaling cascade, particularly the interferon-gamma (INF-γ)-JAK1 and JAK2-signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT) …

Impact Of Pathogenic E. Coli In Drinking Water On The Well-Being Of Children, Aysha Khatoon

CBER Conference

Despite global advancements, unsafe drinking water is a major cause of illness, ranked as the eighth highest worldwide (Forouzanfar et al., 2015). Studies indicate that even improved water sources, can harbour faecal contamination (Shaheed et al., 2014; Bain et al., 2014b). Globally, 1.8 billion people rely on drinking water contaminated with faecal matter (Bain et al., 2014a), with pathogenic E. coli being a primary concern. In Pakistan, the situation is dire. About 25 million people, particularly children, suffer due to open defecation, leading to 53,000 child deaths annually from diarrhoea (UNICEF, 2021). Pathogenic E. coli is a significant contributor to …

Lupin Root Diseases - Diagnosis And Management, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

Root, hypocotyl and stem base diseases can be significant problems in lupin crops, reducing stand density, plant vigour and yield. Root disease is present in nearly all narrow leafed lupin (Lupinus angustifolius) paddocks but in the majority of paddocks has only a small impact on crop development. However, in paddocks where high levels of root rot occurs, plant establishment, seedling vigour and crop yield can be significantly affected.

When a root disease is present in a crop very little can be done to manage it in that cropping season. It is therefore vital that the cause is correctly identified to …

Editorial: Predicting, Managing, And Minimizing Mycotoxicosis In Farm Animals, Jesus Adonai Maguey-Gonzalez, Juan D. Latorre, Sergio Gomez-Rosales, Abraham Mendez-Albores

Poultry Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

Editorial on the Research Topic: Predicting, managing, and minimizing mycotoxicosis in farm animals

Ophidiomyces Ophidiicola And Texas Snakes: A Field To Bench Study Of Ophidiomycosis, Kenlynn L. Volz

Biology Theses

Ophidiomyces ophidiicola (Oo), the primary cause of Ophidiomycosis, is a fungal pathogen recently detected in Texas snakes. Prior to this study, there were major knowledge gaps regarding Oo growth, spread, and suitable environmental conditions. This study filled those gaps using a field to bench approach involving sampling snakes across Texas, in vitro fungal growth, and ecological niche modeling. 103 snakes were sampled across Texas in 2023 and 2024 and six cases of Oo infection were detected. Results of the growth experiment suggest that Oo prefers more stable temperatures and high humidity to a point and that there is a …

Blackleg And Its Management In Canola, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

Blackleg, caused by the fungus Leptosphaeria maculans, is the most common and serious disease of canola in Western Australia (WA). Blackleg can cause significant damage by infecting the cotyledons or first leaves early in the season, leading ultimately to crown lesions or cankers later in the season.

Changes in variety choice, crop rotation, earlier sowing times, and stubble retention have extended the risk of blackleg disease. Because of early emergence, later stages of crop growth are more likely to be exposed and infection can occur on all parts of the plant above ground, including canola flowers, stems, and branches (this …

Net Form Net Blotch And Its Management In Barley, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

Net form net blotch is a fungal disease that can reduce yield and grain quality of barley crops. It can vary in appearance depending on the pathogen, variety of barley, and stage of infection. This factsheet describes the symptoms, and how this disease is managed.

Yellow Spot And Septoria Nodorum Blotch And Their Management In Wheat, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

Leaf spot diseases affecting wheat in Western Australia (WA) are yellow spot (Pyrenophora tritici-repentis), septoria nodorum blotch (Parastagonospora nodorum), and septoria tritici blotch (Zymoseptoria tritici). They are caused by 3 different fungal pathogens but the disease symptoms and biologies are similar.

Impact from leaf spot diseases vary greatly from season to season and between locations. They are a problem in continuous wheat crops in stubble retention (no-till) farming systems. For the most effective control, an integrated disease management (IDM) approach is required.

This page outlines the symptoms, diseases spread and risk factors, yield and quality losses, and management options for …

Sclerotinia Stem Rot And Its Management In Canola, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

Sclerotinia stem rot, caused by the fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, is a disease of canola that can cause significant yield losses exceeding 20% under conducive conditions. This disease occurs in all areas of the WA grainbelt.

Sclerotinia stem rot is one of the most variable and unpredictable diseases of canola, with incidence of infection varying greatly between paddocks and between years. Yield losses can be severe in years of higher moisture, cool conditions, and high humidity, which favour disease development.

This factsheet details the symptoms, disease risk and spread, yield and quality losses, and integrated disease management tactics for sclerotinia stem …

Septoria Avenae Blotch And Its Management In Oats, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

Septoria avenae blotch (Phaeosphaeria avenaria f.sp. avenaria) is a stubble borne fungal disease of oats and is the most common oat disease in Western Australia and occurs throughout the cereal growing areas.It is host specific, meaning it only affects oats.

This page summarises the symptoms, factors favouring disease risk and spread, yield and quality losses, and management strategies for the disease

Leaf Diseases And Their Management In Oats, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

Leaf diseases of oats impact on grain yield and quality and reduce hay quality characteristics, such as colour and digestibility. This page outlines the symptoms, factors favouring disease risk and spread, and management.

Major leaf diseases of oats are septoria avenae blotch, stem rust, leaf rust, and barley yellow dwarf virus. Their severity changes with seasons.

Foliar Diseases And Their Management In Lupins, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

This factsheet describes symptoms and management of the major fungal and viral diseases affecting lupin foliage, stems, and pods. Several of these diseases have the capacity to cause significant losses if not managed effectively.

Inoculum can be carried in soil, seed, stubble, on green regrowth, or by insect vectors, depending on the disease. Therefore, an integrated approach to disease management is required using tactics such as crop rotation, stubble management, fungicide seed dressing, variety selection, and seed testing

Stem Rust And Its Management In Wheat, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

Stem rust (Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici) is a foliar disease that can significantly reduce wheat yields if it occurs in early spring and is not controlled. Risk factors, management strategies (including variety choices and foliar fungicides), and yield loss from different varieties are discussed here.

In Western Australia, stem rust typically causes losses of 10 to 50% in wheat, but this can increase to 90% when it occurs in early spring and is not controlled.

Stem rust affects wheat and triticale, but barley can also be a host during summer months.Stem rust produces large, reddish-brown spore masses on both …

Candida Albicans Farnesol Synthesis And Secretion, Daniel J. Gutzmann

School of Biological Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Candida albicans is a polymorphic fungus and opportunistic commensal found primarily in the gastrointestinal and skin of healthy individuals. Several barriers prevent C. albicans from causing disease including a healthy immune system and microbiome. When these barriers become comprised, C. albicans can transition to a pathogen and disseminate through the intestinal mucosa leading to life-threatening bloodstream and invasive infections with mortality rates of up to 64%. Morphogenic plasticity is key to this transition and impacts virulence, adaptation to different host environments, and evasion of host immune responses. One regulator of morphogenesis is farnesol. Farnesol is a secondary metabolite …

Novel Adaptations In Iron Regulation Acquired During Chronic Fungal Cf Infections, Daniel R. Murante

Dartmouth College Ph.D Dissertations

Chronic fungal infections are highly recalcitrant to treatment; we postulated that as populations persist, increasing genetic diversity is reflected in phenotypic heterogeneity, contributing to treatment inefficacies. The study of evolutionary patterns is underrepresented in chronic fungal infections, and to supplement this body of knowledge, we leveraged isolates acquired from four individuals with chronic fungal-dominated cystic fibrosis infections. We evaluated in-host evolution through a whole-genome sequencing approach, comparing multiple isolates obtained from each subject's sputum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Our analysis found non-synonymous mutations that arose in parallel across the independent infections in the gene MRS4, which encodes a mitochondrial …

Health Benefits Of Saccharomyces Boulardii As A Probiotic, Devashri Parikh, Maftuna Kurbonnazarova, Ravij Upadhyay, Andrea Iannuzzelli

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Saccharomyces boulardii (SB), a budding yeast, within the Saccharomyces genus. It commonly used as a probiotic that has been isolated from lychee and mangosteen fruit. S. boulardii is not known to acquire resistant genes and does not last in the intestine after 3-5 days of discontinuing the ingestion. The clinical efficacy of this probiotic yeast is known to improve various diarrhea such as pediatric diarrhea, antibiotic-associated diarrhea, acute diarrhea, and traveler’s diarrhea. Additionally, when used as an adjuvant to treatment for Helicobacter pylori and Clostridium difficile infections, it improves bacterial eradication, prevents relapse, reduces adverse reactions and treatment-associated diarrhea.

Several …

A Meta-Analysis For Laboratory Diagnostics For Coccidioidomycosis, Mary C. Cowen

Biological Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

Coccidioidomycosis, commonly referred to as Valley Fever, is a fungal infection found in arid regions of the southwestern United States and Mexico. Infection occurs through inhalation of airborne spores from Coccidioides species, Coccidioides immitis and/or Coccidioides posadasii, and proceeds in both pulmonary and disseminated fashions. Approximately 60% of patients with coccidioidomycosis remain asymptomatic, while 40% will experience symptoms. Within the literature, there are no papers that summarize sensitivity and specificity values between different tests; therefore, this paper presents sensitivity and specificity results across different tests and companies (Meridian, IMMY, and MiraVista).