Mycologist News

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Mycologist News MYCOLOGIST NEWS The newsletter of the British Mycological Society 2011 (1) Edited by Dr. Pieter van West, Dr. Anpu Varghese and Prof. Lynne Boddy 2011 BMS Council BMS Council and Committee Members 2011 President Prof. Naresh Magan Vice-President Dr. Stuart Skeates President Elect Dr. Geoff Robson Treasurer Prof. Geoff M Gadd Secretary Position vacant Publications Officer Dr. Pieter van West International Initiatives Adviser Prof. AJ Whalley Fungal Biology Research Committee representatives: Dr. Simon Avery; Prof Nick Read Fungal Education and Outreach Committee: Dr. Paul S. Dyer; Ms. Carol Hobart Field Mycology and Conservation: Dr. David Minter; Prof. Bruce Ing Fungal Biology Research Committee Dr. Simon Avery (Chair) retiring 31.12. 2012 Dr. Elaine Bignell retiring 31.12. 2013 Dr. Mark Ramsdale retiring 31.12. 2013 Prof. Nick Read retiring 31.12. 2013 Dr. Pieter van West retiring 31.12. 2013 Dr. Peter Crittenden retiring 31.12. 2011 Dr. Fordyce Davidson retiring 31.12. 2011 Dr. David Minter (FMC link) retiring 31.12. 2011 Fungal Education and Outreach Committee Dr. Paul S. Dyer (Chair and FBR link) retiring 31.12. 2013 Dr. Matt Fisher retiring 31.12. 2011 Dr. Ali Ashby retiring 31.12. 2013 Ms. Carol Hobart (FMC link) retiring 31.12. 2012 Dr. Sue Assinder retiring 31.12. 2013 Dr. Kay Yeoman retiring 31.12. 2013 KS4 representative still needed Field Mycology and Conservation Committee Dr. Stuart Skeates (Chair and website) retiring 31.12. 2011 Prof. Bruce Ing (Conservation) retiring 31.12. 2012 Dr. Paul Kirk (Database) retiring 31.12. 2012 Ms. Carol Hobart (Events and FEO link) retiring 31.12. 2012 Dr. Dave Minter (FBR Link) retiring 31.12. 2011 Dr. Derek Schafer (membership database and accounts) retiring 31.12. 2011 Mrs. Sheila Spence (Recorders network co-ordinator) retiring 31.12. 2013 Contacts BMS Administrator President: [email protected] British Mycological Society Treasurer: [email protected] City View House Mycologist News: [email protected] Union Street BMS Administrator: [email protected] Manchester M12 4JD BMS Membership: [email protected] Tel: +44(0) 161 277 7638 / 7639 Fax: +44(0) 161 277 7634 2 Appeal for Secondary Schools Expert to Help on BMS FEO Committee The Fungal Education and Outreach (FEO) committee of the BMS has a vacancy for a member with expertise in the secondary school sector, who would be willing to advise the committee on matters relating to promoting fungal biology within secondary schools. The role would likely involve commenting on and updating current BMS resources for secondary schools, and designing new materials/activities such as those recently developed for primary schools. http://www.britmycolsoc.org.uk/education/resources-and-materials/primary-school-resources/ There will also be the opportunity to represent the BMS at various science festivals/educational exhibitions relating to secondary schools. The post might ideally suit someone currently working in the secondary school sector and/or with experience of secondary school curricula, and who have an interest in fungal biology and desire to promote the subject at secondary school level. The FEO committee normally meets twice a year with other communication and support between the members throughout the year by e-mail. If interested, or you know of any potential relevant person, please contact the chair of the FEO committee, Dr Paul Dyer, ideally by 1 May 2011. E-mail: [email protected]. From the Office Hello and welcome to the first issue of the Newsletter for 2011. After a terrific 2010 and a Contents hugely successful main scientific meeting in Stan Hughes - Order of Canada 4 Edinburgh as part of IMC9, the number of new members joining stands currently at 60+.We Obtaining Cultures for Teaching 5 would like to extend a huge welcome to these people and with their help and the continued Dr Alexandra Brand - Berkeley Awardee 6 support of the current membership 2011 should BMS Spring Foray 2010 Report 7 also be a great year for the BMS. As ever we welcome ideas and articles you think may be of In the Media 8 interest to your fellow members. BMS Upland Foray 2010 Report 9 TTFN, The BMS Office Team Obituary - Robert J. W. Byrde 11 Obituary - Pat Livermore 12 2011 Field Meeting Programme 14 2011 BMS Annual Scientific Meeting 18 2nd International Fungal Cell Wall Meeting 19 Deadline for article submission into Norman Porrett Sophie Embleton next issue: 1st June 2011 Administrator BMS Office Field Mycology Assistant 3 Stan Hughes - Order of Canada proudly displayed the bound manuscript to his colleagues, who marvelled at the scope of the study and the professional quality of the drawings. Following his BSc studies, Stan was exempted from military service and spent three years with the ‘WarAg’ department, acting as a plant pathologist, resulting in an MSc. 1945 and the end of WWII allowed him to continue his mycological studies at the Commonwealth Mycological Institute before a position became available in Ottawa. Hughes ‘53 followed and the rest is history. Throughout his period of exile in Canada, Stan and his Canadian wife Lyndell have made frequent Dr Stan Hughes with Governor General Michaëlle pilgrimages to the home country, usually at Easter Jean. Photograph © MCpl Dany Veillette, Rideau Hall. to attend the Old Students’ Reunion at Aberystwyth, 2010 Office of the Secretary to the Governor General as well as visiting his siblings. Gareth’s father knew of Canada Stan through the OSA, and he was aware of Stan’s existence from an early age but we have It was with immense pleasure that we learned in corresponded regularly in the past 10-15 years July 2010 of the award of the Order of Canada to since I (GWG) was appointed at Aberystwyth. One Dr. Stan Hughes, and particularly gratifying that the focus of our discussions was Stan’s strong desire to BMS President Lynne Boddy highlighted this award donate his collection of taxonomic books and papers in the opening ceremony of IMC9 in Edinburgh. He to Aberystwyth University. I was equally keen that was presented with his medal by the Governor this collection should not languish in the basement General of Canada, her excellency Michaëlle Jean, of a library but rather be located near an active the Queen’s immensely personable and popular laboratory undertaking taxonomic research with representative, in one of the last official acts of her fungi. Sadly I am no taxonomist but the opening of tenure. the National Botanic Garden of Wales in 2000, sited only a few miles from Stan’s birthplace, was a much Stan was born and raised in Llanelli. In 1938 he better prospect and despite a few initial hiccups and went to the University College of Wales in large part thanks to the efforts of Margot Greer, Aberystwyth. He initially intended to study Zoology Nigel Stringer and others, the Stan Hughes but, having been sent by the eminent parasitologist collection now takes pride of place in its library. The Gwendoline Rees FRS to study the intestinal opening of this collection was reported in Mycologist parasites of fish caught by a trawler on the News issue 2, 2009. Porcupine Bank (+ attendant U-boat risk), he decided to study for Honours Botany. His Honours In Ottawa, Stan continues to spend most mornings dissertation dealt with coprophilous fungi and, in the classic (by Canadian standards) ambience of having discovered this covered in a thick layer of the William Saunders Building, named after the dust in the basement store off the Biology building at entomologist who founded the Central Experimental Aberystwyth, I (GWG) used to routinely show it to Farm in Ottawa, and whose son brought Marquis Honours students as an example of the quality of wheat to the world. Herbarium cabinets with Stan’s dissertation that I expected them to produce. Their specimens, many collected during his sabbatical in worried faces would eventually soften once they the 1960’s in that other country of his heart, New noticed the date (1941) on the front cover. Sadly for Zealand, overflow his office into the hallway. The me, during a recent visit to Aberystwyth in 2009, sooty moulds continue to absorb him, and the piles Stan asked if he could have his dissertation back, so of herbarium folders shift around his office like the not quite in line with out current procedures for snow drifts outside his window. He continues to return of coursework within three weeks, our vice- share his knowledge with colleagues and visitors, Chancellor Prof. Noel Lloyd was kind enough to frequently using his office sink to demonstrate the organise a small ceremony where we reunited Stan use of sooty mould colonies as tinder. with his dissertation. Upon return to Ottawa, Stan Gareth Griffith and Keith Seifert 4 Obtaining cultures for teaching practicals in mycology In order to run effective and inspiring microbiology mycological dimension to their ‘A’ level Biology practicals for undergraduate students, it is courses, subject to curriculum constraints. necessary to have access to cultures of suitable fungi and other microbes. Over the course of my I would welcome feedback from any readers who time at Aberystwyth, I have on several occasions might find this information useful. Others of you experienced the loss of valuable cultures used in may have ideas for novel but tractable class teaching, usually due to reorganisation or staff experiments, details of which could be shared via changes affecting technical support staff. Such short articles in Mycological News. An increase in problems are exacerbated by the progressive the number of undergraduate and ‘A’ level students reduction in technical support in all universities. exposed to exciting lab experiments involving living Once lost, it can prove extremely difficult to obtain cultures cannot fail to spread the word about the replacement cultures and the costs associated with fascinating world of the fungi.
Recommended publications
  • 2019 Midyear Report
    President Report This New Year brings for MSA a new direction for the society. MSA has a new association manager group, The Rees Group based in Madison, Wisconsin. We are working with them and Allen Press for an easy transition. A new web page will be develop that will be more dynamic and device responsive. The web page should be ready sometime in March. The change in web page will be transparent to the members. IMC was a complete success with 842 registered people (813 full registration, 14 one day passes and 15 guests). From the total registered number of delegates, only 701 checked-in at the IMC11 representing fifty three (53) countries in the mycological world. The congress included 45 symposia each with 6 presentations, 8 plenary speakers covering a wide range of topics and 613 poster presentations. The total expenses for the event were $482,612.04 and a total sum of $561,187 was recovered (For details see tables below). The income included registration fees, field trips, workshops, exhibitor’s fees and sponsor contributions. Expenses Convention Center Expenses Rental $37,500.00 Food and Beverage $214,559.00 Taxes & Fees $67,891.51 Total $319,950.51 Speakers Fees & Travel Costs Speakers Expenses $7,197.84 Total $7,197.84 Additional Costs Internet access $7,461.42 Security $0.00 Janitor, Ambulance, Electricity $11,437.00 Transportation services $3,000.00 Total $21,898.42 Production Entretaiment Banquet and Opening $3,719.70 Registration Materials $591.81 Meeting programs $7,006.33 Poster panels $4,160.00 Audio Visual $33,991.00 Exhibits
    [Show full text]
  • BOOK NEWS Brewing Microbiology: Current Research, Omics And
    Brewing Microbiology: current research, omics and microbial ecology. Edited BOOK NEWS by Nicholas A. Bokulich and Charles W. Bamforth. 2017. Caister Academic Press, Norfolk. Pp. v + 331, figs. ISBN 978-1-910190-61-6 (pbk), 978-1-910190- 62-3 (ebk). Price US$ 319 or £ 159 (pbk or ebk). that prove to be imperfectly understood. chapter considers the evolution of brewing Knowledge of basic physiology has yeasts in both these two genera, especially improved, for example in relation to domestication and the characters associated effects of nitrogen, oxygen, and sugar with that which have diverged from those levels on growth, and the complex issue found in nature. In the case of traditional of factors controlling “quiescence” after beers, however, inoculations often rely cropping. The considerable stresses that on “back-slopping” or other non-critical yeasts undergo during brewing processes methods. It does, however, have to be are reviewed, including changes in alcohol understood that the particular strains in levels, pH, temperature, carbon dioxide use in major manufacturing plants are often and oxygen, and hyperosmotic stresses. closely guarded by the companies because Maintaining strain quality over time is of that information is commercially sensitive. vital importance in production to achieve As a result the available laboratory strains a consistent product, and best-practices for may not always be representative of those propagation, storage and rejuvenation are actually used. described. Also covered are the problems and Molecular phylogenetics has led to potentials of genetic manipulation of a clarification of ps ecies concepts, and brewing yeasts, and the contamination of the relationship between seven “natural” barley and malt by a surprising variety of species and hybrids used in production spoilage fungi that can lead to significant Genomics is having an enormous impact on or developed as contaminants.
    [Show full text]
  • Mycologist News
    MYCOLOGIST NEWS The newsletter of the British Mycological Society 2010 (1) Edited by Dr. Ian Singleton 2010 BMS Council Honorary Officers President: Prof. Lynne Boddy, University of Cardiff Vice President: Dr S. Skeates, Hampshire Vice President: Dr F. Davidson, University of Aberdeen President Elect: Prof. N. Magan, Cranfield University Treasurer: Prof. G. Gadd, University of Dundee General Secretary: None currently in position Publications Officer: Dr Pieter Van West Programme Officer: Dr S. Avery, University of Nottingham Education and Communication Officer: Dr P. S. Dyer, University of Nottingham Field Mycology Officer: Dr S. Skeates, Hampshire Membership Secretary: Dr J.I. Mitchell, University of Portsmouth Ordinary Members of Council Retiring 31.12.10 Dr. M. Fisher, Imperial College, London Dr. P Crittendon, University of Nottingham Dr. I Singleton, Newcastle University Dr. E. Landy, University of Southampton Retiring 31.12.11 Dr. D. Minter, CABI Biosciences Dr. D. Schafer, Whitchurch Prof. S. Buczacki, Stratford-on-Avon Ms D. Griffin, Worcester Retiring 31.12.12 Dr. Paul Kirk, CABI Biosciences Ms Carol Hobart, Sheffield University Dr. Richard Fortey, Henley-on-Thames Prof. Bruce Ing, Flintshire Co-opted Officers - Retiring 31.12.10 International Officer: Prof. A. J. Whalley, Liverpool John Moores University Public Relations Officer: Dr. M. Fisher, Imperial College, London Contacts BMS Administrator President: [email protected] British Mycological Society Treasurer: [email protected] City View House MycologistNews: [email protected] Union Street BMS Administrator: [email protected] Manchester M12 4JD BMS Membership: [email protected] Tel: +44 (0) 161 277 7638 / 7639 Fax: +44(0) 161 277 7634 2 From the Office Hello and Happy New Year to all Mycologist News readers.
    [Show full text]
  • 2006 Summer Workshop in Fungal Biology for High School Teachers Hibbett Lab, Biology Department, Clark University
    2006 Summer Workshop in Fungal Biology for High School Teachers Hibbett lab, Biology Department, Clark University Introduction to Fungal Biology—Morphology, Phylogeny, and Ecology General features of Fungi Fungi are very diverse. It is hard to define what a fungus is using only morphological criteria. Features shared by all fungi: • Eukaryotic cell structure (but some have highly reduced mitochondria) • Heterotrophic nutritional mode—meaning that they must ingest organic compounds for their carbon nutrition (but some live in close symbioses with photosynthetic algae—these are lichens) • Absorptive nutrition—meaning that they digest organic compounds with enzymes that are secreted extracellularly, and take up relatively simple, small molecules (e.g., sugars). • Cell walls composed of chitin—a polymer of nitrogen-containing sugars that is also found in the exoskeletons of arthropods. • Typically reproduce and disperse via spores Variable features of fungi: • Unicellular or multicellular—unicellular forms are called yeasts, multicellular forms are composed of filaments called hyphae. • With or without complex, multicellular fruiting bodies (reproductive structures) • Sexual or asexual reproduction • With or without flagella—if they have flagella, then these are the same as all other eukaryotic flagellae (i.e., with the “9+2” arrangement of microtubules, ensheathed by the plasma membrane) • Occur on land (including deserts) or in aquatic habitats (including deep-sea thermal vent communities) • Function as decomposers of dead organic matter or as symbionts of other living organisms—the latter include mutualists, pathogens, parasites, and commensals (examples to be given later) Familiar examples of fungi include mushrooms, molds, yeasts, lichens, puffballs, bracket fungi, and others. There are about 70,000 described species of fungi.
    [Show full text]
  • 1 the SOCIETY LIBRARY CATALOGUE the BMS Council
    THE SOCIETY LIBRARY CATALOGUE The BMS Council agreed, many years ago, to expand the Society's collection of books and develop it into a Library, in order to make it freely available to members. The books were originally housed at the (then) Commonwealth Mycological Institute and from 1990 - 2006 at the Herbarium, then in the Jodrell Laboratory,Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, by invitation of the Keeper. The Library now comprises over 1100 items. Development of the Library has depended largely on the generosity of members. Many offers of books and monographs, particularly important taxonomic works, and gifts of money to purchase items, are gratefully acknowledged. The rules for the loan of books are as follows: Books may be borrowed at the discretion of the Librarian and requests should be made, preferably by post or e-mail and stating whether a BMS member, to: The Librarian, British Mycological Society, Jodrell Laboratory Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AB Email: <[email protected]> No more than two volumes may be borrowed at one time, for a period of up to one month, by which time books must be returned or the loan renewed. The borrower will be held liable for the cost of replacement of books that are lost or not returned. BMS Members do not have to pay postage for the outward journey. For the return journey, books must be returned securely packed and postage paid. Non-members may be able to borrow books at the discretion of the Librarian, but all postage costs must be paid by the borrower.
    [Show full text]
  • When Mycologists Describe New Species, Not All Relevant
    A peer-reviewed open-access journal MycoKeys 72: 109–128 (2020) Mycological species descriptions over time 109 doi: 10.3897/mycokeys.72.56691 RESEARCH ARTICLE MycoKeys http://mycokeys.pensoft.net Launched to accelerate biodiversity research When mycologists describe new species, not all relevant information is provided (clearly enough) Louisa Durkin1, Tobias Jansson1, Marisol Sanchez2, Maryia Khomich3, Martin Ryberg4, Erik Kristiansson5, R. Henrik Nilsson1 1 Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Gothenburg Global Biodiversity Centre, University of Gothenburg, Box 461, 405 30 Göteborg, Sweden 2 Department of Forest Mycology and Plant Pathology, Uppsala Biocentre, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden 3 Nofima – Norwegian Institute of Food, Fisheries and Aquaculture Research, P.O. Box 210, 1431 Ås, Norway 4 Department of Organismal Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden 5 Department of Mathematical Sciences, Chalmers University of Technology and University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, Sweden Corresponding author: R. Henrik Nilsson ([email protected]) Academic editor: T. Lumbsch | Received 19 July 2020 | Accepted 24 August 2020 | Published 10 September 2020 Citation: Durkin L, Jansson T, Sanchez M, Khomich M, Ryberg M, Kristiansson E, Nilsson RH (2020) When mycologists describe new species, not all relevant information is provided (clearly enough). MycoKeys 72: 109–128. https://doi.org/10.3897/mycokeys.72.56691 Abstract Taxonomic mycology struggles with what seems to be a perpetual shortage
    [Show full text]
  • Complete Issue
    J. Fernholz and Q.E. Phelps – Influence of PIT tags on growth and survival of banded sculpin (Cottus carolinae): implications for endangered grotto sculpin (Cottus specus). Journal of Cave and Karst Studies, v. 78, no. 3, p. 139–143. DOI: 10.4311/2015LSC0145 INFLUENCE OF PIT TAGS ON GROWTH AND SURVIVAL OF BANDED SCULPIN (COTTUS CAROLINAE): IMPLICATIONS FOR ENDANGERED GROTTO SCULPIN (COTTUS SPECUS) 1 2 JACOB FERNHOLZ * AND QUINTON E. PHELPS Abstract: To make appropriate restoration decisions, fisheries scientists must be knowledgeable about life history, population dynamics, and ecological role of a species of interest. However, acquisition of such information is considerably more challenging for species with low abundance and that occupy difficult to sample habitats. One such species that inhabits areas that are difficult to sample is the recently listed endangered, cave-dwelling grotto sculpin, Cottus specus. To understand more about the grotto sculpin’s ecological function and quantify its population demographics, a mark-recapture study is warranted. However, the effects of PIT tagging on grotto sculpin are unknown, so a passive integrated transponder (PIT) tagging study was performed. Banded sculpin, Cottus carolinae, were used as a surrogate for grotto sculpin due to genetic and morphological similarities. Banded sculpin were implanted with 8.3 3 1.4 mm and 12.0 3 2.15 mm PIT tags to determine tag retention rates, growth, and mortality. Our results suggest sculpin species of the genus Cottus implanted with 8.3 3 1.4 mm tags exhibited higher growth, survival, and tag retention rates than those implanted with 12.0 3 2.15 mm tags.
    [Show full text]
  • December 2013
    Supplement to Mycologia Vol. 64(6) December 2013 Newsletter of the Mycological Society of America — In This Issue — The Global Fungal Red List Initiative Articles The Global Fungal Red List Initiative Fungal conservation is not yet commonly discussed, consid- IUCN Resolution: Increasing the Attention ered, or acted upon by the mycological community. Not coinci- Given to the Conservation of Fungi Third International Congress on Fungal dently, fungi are rarely included in broader conservation discus- Conservation sions, policy decisions, or land management plans. However, Micromycology from a Smartphone species of fungi are not immune to the threats that put species of and a Hand Lens Emerging Frontiers in Tropical Science Workshop animals and plants at risk. Fungal species are threated by habitat MSA Business loss, loss of symbiotic hosts, pollution, over exploitation, and cli- Executive Vice President’s Report mate change, but the conservation status of the vast majority of MSA Directory 2013-2014 fungal species has not been assessed. Editor’s Note: Julia Kerrigan New Inoculum Editor! Over 21,000 animal, fungal, and plant species are globally MSA Awards 2013 red-listed (IUCN 2013). However, only one macrofungus and two MSA Student Section lichenized fungi are included in that list. This is despite the fact Happy New Year Poster from the MSA Student Section that approximately 5000 macrofungi, 1000 lichenized fungi, and Mycological News some species of other fungal groups are included in individual Call for MSA Council Nominations country red-lists. In the USA, 4268 species (mostly lichenized MSA Awards 2014 Announcement fungi) are included in the NatureServe database.
    [Show full text]
  • September 2015
    Supplement to Mycologia Vol. 66(5) September 2015 Newsletter of the Mycological Society of America — In This Issue — Gender Balance in Mycology Articles Just like nature, science should be diverse. However, this is Gender Balance in Mycology rarely the case and there are still strong gender and ethnic biases Mysterious Nature of Fungi exhibit that target women and minorities. These groups are still faced with MSA Awards hurdles in their careers, and encounter unconscious and conscious Best presentations at the MSA Annual Meet- bias on the work floor on a daily basis (as exemplified by the ing remarks made recently by Tim Hunt, an English Nobel prize win- ning scientist; Radcliffe 2015). MSA Business Gender balance has been at the forefront of diversity concerns Executive Vice President’s Report and is in the news on a daily basis. The number of women obtain- 2015 Annual Reports ing science degrees has increased in the last 20 years, but this does 2015 Council Meeting Minutes not yet translate into an increase in women in decision-making 2015 Business Meeting Minutes positions. Furthermore, women who choose to stay in science still face inequalities in compensation, recognition and career develop- Mycological News Pictures from the MSA/BSA meeting ment (WISAT, 2012). The low-retention rates can only be counter- Thank you from Stamets acted with stronger efforts to maintain the currently balanced stu- dent gender ratios throughout the scientific workforce, starting at MSA Student Section the early career stages (President’s Council of Advisors on Science MSA Student Section logo and Technology, 2012, Moss-Racusin et al, 2012, Handelsman et al, 2005, United States National Academy of Sciences, 2007, Fungi in the News National Science Foundation, 2009).
    [Show full text]
  • John Webster (1925–2014)
    PERSONAL NEWS John Webster (1925–2014) The demise of John Webster, mycologist of Plant Infection brimmed with ideas enthusiasm for these fungi while on a extraordinaire, removes from our midst and concepts, John Webster’s book must trip to Ambleside in Scotland with John an esteemed colleague and friend whose be reckoned a down-to-earth text that to collect Ingoldian fungi in an effort to passion lay in teaching and experiment- brought to life fungi in their natural habi- lectotypify many of the species described ing with live specimens and collections tats and their relationships. by him. John arranged a caravan to take to the excitement of his students and col- Noting the importance and need for him and Ingold to collecting sites in Am- leagues. First and foremost, he was a teaching aids, John laid stress on deve- bleside. great teacher gifted with an extraordinary loping techniques and skills. He also pro- John’s interest in fungal biology later curiosity and passion to learn, experiment duced several films showing fungal on extended to studies on ballistics of and teach. He was unique in enthusing development and life cycles as part of spore discharge in basidiomycetes, in- many students into doing mycology in its teaching aids. Everything he did was spired by Reginald Buller’s classic Re- broadest sense at home and overseas. aimed at excellence in learning and searches on Fungi. Techniques of release John was born in Kirkby, Ashfield teaching towards making good mycology of spores into the air captured by high- (Nottinghamshire) on 25 May 1925, the and good mycologists.
    [Show full text]
  • Curriculum Vitae
    CURRICULUM VITA ROBERT W. ROBERSON Arizona State University School of Life Sciences Cellular and Molecular Biology Faculty Honors Faculty Tempe, AZ 85287 Tel: 480-965-8618 E-mail: [email protected] EDUCATION B.S. Stephen F. Austin University, Nacogdoches, TX; Biology M.S. Stephen F. Austin University, Nacogdoches, TX; Dr. Charles W. Mims, Advisor; Biology Ph.D. University of Georgia, Athens, GA; Dr. Melvin S. Fuller, Advisor; Plant Sciences POSITIONS HELD 1996 – Present. Associate Professor (tenured), School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 1989 – 1995. Assistant Professor of Botany/Plant Biology and Supervisor of Biological Electron Microscopy Facility, Plant Biology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 1985 – 1989. Electron Microscopy Technician, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 1983 – 1985. Electron Microscopy Technician, Medical School of Georgia, Augusta, GA RESEARCH INTERESTS - Cellular mechanisms of polarized cell growth; roles of the actin and microtubule cytoskeletons - Diversity in cellular organization and evolution in the Fungi - Structural basis of photosynthetic processes; production of bio-products for fuel and commercial industries - Bioimaging: three-dimensional cytoplasmic order and behavior, live-cell light microscopy; transmission electron microscopy; cryo-electron microscopy RESEARCH GRANTS CURRENT GRANT SUPPORT 2015 - 2019. NSF-DEB. ‘Collaborative Research: The Zygomycetes Genealogy of Life (ZyGoLife) - the conundrum of Kingdom Fungi.’ PI RW Roberson. $468,743. Start date: January 1, 2015 (48 months, currently on year NCE). The Conundrum of Kingdom Fungi Zygomycetes are an ancient lineages of the Mycota. They include plant symbionts, animal and human pathogens, and decomposers of a wide variety of organic compounds. This fungal group were among the first terrestrial organisms and facilitated the origin of land plants.
    [Show full text]
  • The Developing Relationship Between the Study of Fungal Communities and Community Ecology Theory
    Fungal Ecology xxx (xxxx) xxx Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Fungal Ecology journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/funeco Commentary The developing relationship between the study of fungal communities and community ecology theory Thomas D. Bruns Dept. Plant and Microbial Biology, University of California, Berkeley, United States article info abstract Article history: Plant and animal systems had a head start of several decades in community ecology and have largely Received 30 October 2018 created the theoretical framework for the field. I argue that the lag in fungal community ecology was Received in revised form largely due to the microscopic nature of fungi that makes observing species and counting their numbers 28 November 2018 difficult. Thus the basic patterns of fungal occurrence were, until recently, largely invisible. With the Accepted 10 December 2018 development of molecular methods, especially high-throughput sequencing, fungal communities can Available online xxx now be “seen”, and the field has grown dramatically in response. The results of these studies have given Corresponding Editor: Lynne Boddy us unprecedented views of fungal communities in novel habitats and at broader scales. From these advances we now have the ability to see pattern, compare it to existing theory, and derive new hy- Index descriptors: potheses about the way communities are assembled, structured, and behave. But can fungal systems Competition contribute to the development of theory in the broader realm of community ecology? The answer to this Mutualisms question is yes! In fact fungal systems already have contributed, because in addition to many important Diversity-function natural fungal communities, fungi also offer exceptional experimental communities that allow one to Community assembly manipulate, control, isolate and test key mechanisms.
    [Show full text]