MYCOLOGIST NEWS

The newsletter of the British Mycological Society 2009 (2)

2009 BMS Council

Honorary Officers

President: Prof. Lynne Boddy, University of Cardiff Vice President: Dr P. Spencer-Phillips, University of the West of England Vice President: Dr F. Davidson, University of Aberdeen Immediate Past President: Prof. N. Clipson, University College Dublin Treasurer: Prof. G. Gadd, University of Dundee General Secretary (Acting): Dr. G Robson, University of Manchester Publications Officer: Prof. N. Read, University of Edinburgh Programme Officer: Dr S. Avery, University of Nottingham Education and Communication Officer: Dr P. 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 31.12.09

Prof. R. Marchant, University of Ulster Prof. D. Hawksworth CBE, Universidad Complutense de Madrid and The Natural History Museum (London) Ms S. Evans, Powys Prof. J.M. Whipps, Warwick HRI

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 31.12.10

Dr. D. Minter, CABI Biosciences Dr. D. Schafer, Whitchurch Prof. S. Buczacki, Stratford-on-Avon Ms D. Griffin, Worcester

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 General Secretary: [email protected] Works Business Centre Treasurer: [email protected] Union Street MycologistNews: [email protected] Manchester M12 4JD

Tel: +44 (0) 161 277 7638 / 7639 Fax: +44(0) 161 277 7634

From the Office

Welcome to the second issue of Mycologist News for 2009, and the first issue created by the team in the BMS office!

We’re looking to add new ideas and change the look of the Newsletter, without losing any of what made it so successful before. As with any changes response by the readers will determine Norman Porrett Allie Brown Sophie Embleton whether it’s a change for the better, or not! Administrator Membership Field Mycology BMS Office Assistant Assistant Whilst we create the newsletter it’s you, the readers who make it. That’s why we’re looking for news, views and articles from you, that you feel should feature in your newsletter. What Contents aspects would you like to see expanded, Council News 4 improved, dropped completely or newly covered BMS News 5 in the upcoming issues? We’re here to give you an opportunity to get your group news, views, Membership News 6 and areas of interest out to a wider audience, Fungi In the News: Edible Britain 7 across the BMS membership and even beyond. Stanley Hughes Collection, NBG 8 Wales Let us know what you think of the Mycologist News as it stands, and where you think it could RHS Chelsea 2009 10 be improved. You can contact the Newsletter Fungi in the News: How to tell an Team via email at edible mushroom from a 12 [email protected] dabbled webcap

Local Groups News: Or write to the office direct at: 14 Staffordshire Fungus Group British Mycological Society Mycologist News Just for Fun 16 The Works Business Centre BMS Grant Reports: Union Street Thomas Kluyver 17 Tariq Hassam 18 Ardwick Manchester M12 4JD Autumn 2008 Foray Report 19

We look forward to hearing from you, and don’t BMS Lactarius Workshop 22 forget you can submit articles, features and 2010 Field Meetings 23 fungal photographs to the email address too. Fungal Cell Meeting - Booking Form 27 Bye for now, Norman, Sophie and Allie (The BMS Office Staff) UK Events 30 International Events 31 Fungi Photo Corner 32

Council News

On top of their game: sexy charms of Dyer & co? Marvel at how they chose their modest partners and arranged the dates! work by BMS council member Dinners of high-quality oatmeal agar to rival Paul Dyer (Reader in Fungal those set before diners at Claridges were Biology) prepared! The lights were dimmed and the temperature raised! The fungal partners were Ever wonder what members of the BMS hot to trot, but they were not easily tempted. executive committee do to attain their lofty Only after a full six months did PhD student status? Ever asked the question ‘how does such Céline use stealthy lenses to capture those rarefied privilege come about’? Well, other than revealing structures that only David perhaps indulging in naked nepotism and Attenborough would dare to show before the 9 realpolitik(!), the answer is that they have all, in o’clock watershed. Here, I draw a curtain over some fashion, advanced our understanding of those private moments, but those of you with a fungi. One excellent example of great work that more intrusive curiosity are welcome to pry the is being done by a member of the BMS council matrimonial secrets of A. fumigatus at the is the publishing last year of the discovery of the Nature website. The work, which was in part teleomorph (sexual stage) of Aspergillus supported by a BMS small grant, also featured fumigatus, Neosartorya fumigatus sp. nov., by as news on websites as diverse as those on Paul Dyer (University of Nottingham) and American Gardening through to Richard collaborators Céline O’Gorman and Hubert Dawkin’s site for reason and science! Are there Fuller (University College Dublin). The fungi other fungi that are even more modest than imperfecti (or Deuteromycota) have long been Aspergillus? Are there even truly asexual fungi? dissolved, however many of the fungi that were Even Paul probably cannot quite yet answer held within it’s classification still cling to their those questions, however I’m prepared to bet modesty by inconveniently refusing to be caught that he’s going to give it his best shot. And as an in flagrante delicto. A. fumigatus is one such esteemed member of the BMS, that is exactly fungus and, despite indirect evidence that what we would expect of him. sexual reproduction is occurring among Matthew C. Fisher members of this heterothallic species, it has steadfastly maintained an illusion of virginity. http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v457/ However, what fungus could resist those subtle n7228/full/nature07528.html

Ballot Form Reminder Annual General Meeting

Just a quick reminder to all qualifying The BMS AGM will take place in the Sidlaw members! Ballot Forms for the Election of Suite, Main Lecture Theatre, West Park Ordinary Members to Council must be Conference Centre, University of Dundee st returned or received by July 31 . Each form at 18.30pm, on Thursday September 3rd has a unique identifier number on the front. 2009 Please ensure where faxing it to the office that this number is included!

4

BMS News

Gold at Chelsea

Congratulations to the BMS Chelsea team whose hard work and dedication has resulted in a prestigious RHS Gold Medal being awarded for the BMS Display. For a fuller account of the Show go to pages 10 and 11. Lynne Boddy displaying the Gold certificate

Newsletter Articles

Do you have any items you would like to see published in the Newsletter that would be of interest to members? Not a BMS Member? We would love to receive short reports of any activities, upcoming events, items of Not a BMS Member but wish to be? Go to the Membership interest, items for sale/wanted etc. section on our website and find out how to become a Please send items to the office or email to member.

[email protected] www.britmycolsoc.org.uk

5

Membership News

We have had a great response from members FIELD MYCOLOGY renewing their membership, so would like to Field Mycology is running to schedule with no extend a big “Thank You” to those members changes to the original dates: Vol/Issue Cover date Est. who have paid their 2009 subscription. Despatch 10/ 3 Jul-09 06-Jul-09 For members who have yet to renew, please 10/ 4 Oct-09 05-Oct-09 be aware that, as agreed at the last AGM, the FUNGAL ECOLOGY grace period for renewing membership has Issue 4 due to be despatched October. been changed from 12 months to 3 months. FUNGAL BIOLOGY REVIEWS This means that non-renewed memberships Volume 23 (2009), issues 1-2 should be ready around October. Details TBC. have now lapsed, so we are unable to send journals or allow any other members benefits FUNGAL ECOLOGY BACK ISSUES such as small grant applications until Some members have been enquiring about back membership has been renewed. issues of Fungal Ecology as they were unaware of its launch last year. If you would like to receive the four 2008 back issues please contact All members were sent personalised renewal Allie and she will arrange it for you. The price is forms in December and a blank one in April. If £36, with payments to be made by card, or by you do not have either form or have a query cheque made out to ‘British Mycological about your membership or journal delivery, Society’. Email: [email protected] please email Allie at [email protected] WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS We have had 29 new members join since the last newsletter and extend a warm welcome to them all: 2009 JOURNAL DESPATCH SCHEDULES Elsevier have provided us with updated journal ASSOCIATE MEMBER POSTGRADUATE Dr M.I. Bidartondo MEMBERS despatch dates. We will keep members informed Mr N.A. Brown of any changes to these dates, but please do Dr O Bouquet bear in mind that they are estimates, so are HONORARY MEMBER Mr C Gostincar Dr A Ramon Mr I Hatam subject to change/delay. (Update provided c/o Professor Claudio Mrs K Heron 28/05/09). Scazzocchio Dr L.M. Jarosz Mr K King Mr E Larriba MYCOLOGICAL RESEARCH MEMBER Miss A Mina Dr N Donofrio Miss K Minor Vol/Issue Cover date Est. Mrs C Fenning Mr V.C. Ujor Despatch Professor S.J. Gurr Mr A.H. Van Den Berg Dr K Hilden 113/ 8 August 13-Aug-09 Mr A. Berepike Dr A Munoz Miss S. Bloemendal 113/ 9 September 10-Sep-09 Dr M Ramsdale Miss V. Gortowski 113/ 10 October 15-Oct-09 Dr J. Rutherford Miss K. Lee 113/ 11 November 12-Nov-09 Dr N.A. White Mrs F. Mohamed 113/ 12 December 11-Dec-09 Mr D. Wilson Mahmoud

Mr J.P. Williams

6

Fungi in the News

Wild Mushroom Pâté 10g dried wild mushrooms (ideally morels) 75ml hot water Harvesting "wild food", seasonal salad leaves, 15g butter nuts, fruit and fungi that grow abundantly across 1 close garlic, chopped the UK, has led to a new industry in professional 1 onion, finely chopped foraging for restaurants and a sharp surge in 300g fresh edible wild mushrooms public interest. 120ml red wine black pepper Professional foragers are harvesting - for free - grated Parmesan nearly 200 ingredients throughout the year: from common crops such as hazelnuts, brambles and wild strawberries, to dozens of different fungi, Method through to specialist crops such as elm and lime leaves, or sweet cicely. Chefs are now paying up 1. Set the dried mushrooms to soak in the hot water to £50 a kilo for wood sorrel, with its sharp for 15 minutes. lemony tang, and £40 a kilo for exclusive 2. Heat the butter in a heavy-based frying pan. Add in morel mushrooms, handpicked from the forest the garlic and onion and fry gently until softened for floor. 3-5 minutes. 3. Add in the wild mushrooms and fry them, stirring In Scotland alone, where the wild food now and then, for 3-5 minutes. movement is thought to be strongest, the 4. Add in the soaked dried mushrooms, reserving the Forestry Commission estimates that wild soaking liquid. Fry for 2 minutes. harvesting, including harvesting lichens and 5. Add in the red wine and cook briskly until the liquid mosses for natural remedies and horticulture, is has almost evaporated. worth as much as £21m a year. Its rapid growth 6. Strain the soaking liquid and add in. Season well - by as much as 38% since 2001 - has led the with salt and freshly ground pepper. commission to launch a campaign to promote 7. Blend the mushroom mixture in a food processor wild foods with a code of good practice, to into a paste. Check the seasoning and add a little ensure the increasing number of professional Parmesan cheese if required. and amateur foragers harvest carefully and, 8. Eat the pate hot or at room temperature with crusty where needed, with the landowner's permission. bread.

But beware, foragers need to be very careful about what they pick - some plants and Source: Janet Brinkworth from Good Food Live mushrooms could be lethal. http://uktv.co.uk/food/

The bestselling author of The Horse Whisperer, Nicholas Evans, was hospitalised after eating poisonous mushrooms picked on a woodland walk near Forres in Aberdeenshire last September.

Source: The Forager Handbook by Miles Irving, and Guardian Newspapers 2009

7

Stanley Hughes Collection at the National Botanic Garden, Wales

On April 20th 2009, there was a gathering period in New Zealand, where his work on of mycologists, senior staff from the microfungi, especially “sooty moulds” Garden of Wales (NBGW) and other resulted in over 200 publications. He is a guests who had major roles in the early taxonomist with a worldwide reputation and development of the Garden. (Fig 1). has received many international honours. At over 90 years old, he is still extremely This was a celebration to mark the opening active and still publishing in international of a special collection of books, papers and journals. journals donated by Dr. Stanley J. Hughes (Fig 2). Stan Hughes, who was born and The collection of over 9,000 (and counting) educated near Llanelli and University items include books, papers and journals, College Aberystwyth, spent most of his along with other resources in the NBGW academic career in Canada after a brief library will be an invaluable resource for

(Fig 1) Back row left to right: John Savidge, Gareth Griffith, Paul Kirk, Brian Spooner, David Hawksworth CBE, John Hedger, Dic Davies. Front row left to right: Philip Jones, David Minter, Peter Roberts, Stanley Hughes, Lynne Boddy, Keith Jones, Penny David, Nigel Stringer. (Out of shot Shelley Evans). Photograph courtesy of Mike Danford, Library at NBGW.

8 staff, researchers and students who visit the Garden. This wonderful collection will allow the Garden to become a focus for fungal taxonomy, field mycology and conservation.

At early stages in the planning of the garden, mycology was discussed as a possible focus at the gardens. Although this has not yet happened, the opening of this collection may mark a turning point with not only an emphasis on fungal research, but also on education and outreach activities.

It is hoped that the massive exhibition of fungi that is currently being planned for a 5 month showing at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh in 2010 will move to several venues around the UK, including the National Botanic Garden of Wales. Indeed, it would be wonderful if it were possible to have a permanent exhibition of fungi at the NBGW. (Fig 2) Dr. Stanley J. Hughes in front of the collection of mycological texts donated to the NBGW. After all, the links between fungi and plants Photograph courtesy of are crucial to the function of terrestrial Mike Danford, Library at NBGW biomes, including pathogens, the vital role that mycorrhizas play in the uptake of water and mineral nutrients, and protection against root pathogens, and the dominant role of saprotrophic fungi in decomposition processes, making available nutrients for continued plant productivity.

Special thanks go to Margot Greer and her army of library volunteers who over the past year or so have unpacked, sorted and catalogued the collection and arranged the splendid opening.

Lynne Boddy Cardiff University

9

RHS Chelsea 2009

‘Out Of Sight, Out of Mind’ BMS display stand at Chelsea 2009

Out of Sight Out of Mind –

As part of our continuing outreach activities, BMS again put on a display in the continuous learning section of the Royal Horticultural Society Chelsea this May. Following our Silver Gilt in 2008, this year we achieved the coveted gold for our exhibit ‘Out of Sight, Out of Mind’. Our message was that fungi, though hidden, are crucial to the functioning of the terrestrial ecosystems of this planet, being:

(1) The major agents of decomposition; (2) Mycorrhizal with 85% of plants; and (3) The non-photosynthesising partners in lichens.

As decomposers they make nutrients available for continued plant growth. As mycorrhizas they directly supply plants with water and mineral nutrients, e.g. nitrogen and phosphorus. As lichens they are the main primary producers in some extreme environments, including lichen-heath in the tundra, where they form the main vegetation type.

The display this year was a small woodland scene including an oak tree and a number of spectacular large logs acquired from the City of Sheffield’s saw mills. We were able to include in our scene perennial fruit bodies, fresh material collected in the days immediately preceding the Show, fresh cultivated fruit bodies including Pleurotus ostreatus, rehydrated material e.g. Sparassis crispa, some of the best of our fungal fruit body models, and mycelial systems growing on the surface of compressed trays of soil. Behind the woodland scene were three large backdrops explaining the importance of fungi.

10

RHS Chelsea 2009

As well as being a hit with the judges, the display received wide acclaim from the public. The 3.5 min TV slot on the importance of fungi and interview with Alan Titchmarsh, and several radio interviews, spread the message nationwide. The impact of the TV coverage was immediate, and resulted in many visitors making their way straight to our display to see all the features discussed. Many of the comments were in the line “I didn’t realise fungi were so important”, “I saw it on TV – aren’t they interesting” and “where is the puff ball?’’. Further, the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall spent seven or eight minutes viewing the display and discussing the importance of fungi to our planet, as well as considering culinary delights.

The success of this event is down to many people, foremost being Carol Hobart, who took on all of the organisational and design responsibilities, as well having a stint on the stand every day. I do not know how she maintained her enthusiasm for over a week – I was relieved to return to marking exam scripts after only 5 days in the grand marquee. Paul Fletcher (Landscape Manager, Estates Department, University of Sheffield) was again key to the success of the display. He masterminded purchase, construction and planting of everything that went into production of the woodland scene. Alan Henderson (also from University of Sheffield estates) and his wife Michelle provided muscle and enthusiasm on the final Saturday for breaking down of the display. Steve Kelly, Rob Foster and Mario Tortelli also assisted with build up and breakdown or both, as well as manning the stand.

The others who gave generously of their time in talking to the public were Penny Cullington, Dr. Matt Fisher, Prof. Alan Gange, Prof. John Hedger, Alan and Pam Hills, Margaret Kelly, Dr. Peter Mantle, Dr. Maurice Moss, Dr. Derek Schafer, Dr. Stuart Skeates. Lynne Boddy, Cardiff

Penny Cullington and Stuart Skeates

Maurice Moss, Penny Cullington, Stuart Skeates

11

Fungi in the News

hedgehog. Learn these from a good field guide - or, better still, by going out with an expert on a fungus foray.

Pay attention to their seasons and preferred

Wild mushrooms are delectable food, but not habitats as well as what they look like, and to be eaten casually. make sure that what you gather ticks all the boxes. Pick the whole fungus, stem There are a score of seriously poisonous included, so that it is all there for species among the 3,000 or so that grow in identification when you get home. Slice Britain - and the most fearful of all, the death through the stems and throw away any that cap, does not even start producing have been invaded by insects. Keep them symptoms until after it has caused liver dry: even edible mushrooms can be trouble damage. The problem is that, to the when they have turned mouldy. Don't eat untrained eye, all mushrooms look much the them raw. A few species are indigestible same. They don't emblazon their differences uncooked, and a few individuals may have with livid berries or memorable flowers. personal sensitivities - which is also a reason for sampling only a small portion It seems a forbidding prospect for the would- when you try a fungus for the first time. But be forager. But the danger needs to be put don't get paranoid. into perspective. The vast majorities of wild species are boringly inedible, but will do you If you are only brave enough to try one no harm. The very best are unmistakable, species, have a go at the manifestly obvious and the golden rule is to stick to a selection giant puffball, and you will become a of those you feel confident about. Ignore any mycophile for life. old saw suggesting tricks with sixpences or Source: Richard Mabey The Guardian, Thursday salt or peeling, or that signs of nibbling by 4 September 2008 cuddly animals will differentiate the edible Richard Mabey is the author of Food for Free. His from the poisonous. They won't. (Pictures in book Beechcomings: The Narratives of Trees is out newspapers are not necessarily a reliable now guide either.)

My own top 10, for a combination of taste and ease of recognition, would be: parasol, giant puffball, cep, oyster mushroom, chicken-of-the-woods, field mushroom, shaggy inkcap, blewit, morel and wood

12

East Lothian Celebrates Darwin’s 200th Anniversary

On 19th April 2009, East Lothian Council celebrated the 200th anniversary of the birth of naturalist Charles Darwin at Darwin 200.

The free event celebrated the diversity of wildlife across the county and included exhibitions, demonstrations and activities.

Neville Kilkenny, a member of the BMS, was exhibiting at the event and made use of some of the display and marketing materials the Neville Kilkenny, pictured at Darwin 200, using BMS’s BMS has available for raising awareness of Exhibition Stand mycology to the general public. Do you have a UK event coming up where 2009 is also the anniversary of the publication using some of the BMS’s display/printed resources would assist in engaging of The Origin of the Species in which Darwin people? We have display materials, printed explained his theories of evolution. leaflets, classroom packs, mushroom models available for use in the education of mycology. So whether it’s in the classroom, at a local foray or an Exhibition we may be able to assist. To discuss further, contact: Sophie ([email protected]) or Norman ([email protected]) or call them on: 0161 277 7638 at the BMS Office.

Want to Join Your Local Fungus Group?

Local Fungus Groups now exist in many parts of and run varied foray and workshop programmes the country helping to put mushrooms on the which are suitable for all levels of expertise. map in the UK. If you are interested in joining your Local Fungus They are run on a voluntary basis by enthusiasts Group, please contact: seeking to share their knowledge of wild fungi Sophie Embleton ([email protected]) at and improve members’ identification skills. They the BMS Manchester office and ask to be put in provide a welcoming environment for new touch with your nearest group. members to enjoy exploring the world of fungi

13

Local Group’s News

Staffordshire Fungus Group’s Search for St. George’s Mushroom

Staffordshire Fungus Group planned a St. George’s Day Foray on 26th April 2009, the nearest Sunday to St. Georges Day itself, which was attended by 14 members. Spring Forays can be hit and miss (this particular Sunday was extremely dry), we had asked members to bring in fungi from around Staffordshire, particularly looking out for St. George’s Mushroom, Calocybe gambosa – a springtime fruiter usually appearing on, or around, St. George’s Day. So what was interesting was the five (later six) collections of St.George’s Mushroom brought in that day from around county, specifically from:

Biddulph, North Staffs from a roadside verge. Mushrooms this year for 2-3 weeks before St. George’s Day itself. My own collection was Longsdon, near Leek, North Staffs, also noticeable from mid April and was still from a roadside verge. recordable on 21st May. So it seems that these

Shirleywich, near Great Haywood, fungi can be currently spotted at almost any time Staff, on a bit of scruffy lawn. during April and May.

Festival Park in the city of Stoke-on I contacted Sophie at the BMS to request Trent. national records of Calocybe gambosa from the Local Groups in order to compare appearances Meerbrook, near Leek, North Staffs from the North and South of our county. Thank you to all verge of a drive. the Local Groups for the fantastic response received so far. Piggotts Bottom (SWT Georges Hayes) Staffs reported 5 days later on a Camilla Lovatt, verge of the carpark. Staffordshire Fungus Group.

The habitats reported above are interesting in that they are so typical. I know of four other sites in the county for this species, each similarly on a verge, which are sometimes surprisingly meagre If you have recordings, taken this year, of the strips of weedy grass! St. George’s Mushroom and would like to share your information with Staffordshire The warmer springs of late have meant that this Fungus Group please email the details to specie is now making more timely appearances [email protected] who will forward it in North Staffs i.e. in April rather than May. onto the Group. One member was picking her St. George’s

14

Sponsorship and Grants

Small Grants Awards

The British Mycological Society offers Small Grants to its members for educational purposes that promote Mycology. Maximum value: £ 300

Grants can be used for the following costs: Travel to the British Mycological Society’s meetings if the applicant is presenting a poster or paper. Fieldwork or research projects. Books or scientific equipment. To hire meeting rooms or attend forays. To support the cost of preparing applications to the Heritage Lottery Fund for mycological projects.

Grants cannot be used: To supplement existing undergraduate awards or replace institutional funding for undergraduate or postgraduate research.

Application procedure: Application forms are available from the BMS Administrator, or BMS website. This grant is offered at quarterly intervals and applications must be received by: 20 March 20 July 20 September 20 December

Key criteria: Eligible applicants must be members of The British Mycological Society.

Contact [email protected] Tel: 0161 277 7638 BMS Administrator Union Street Manchester M12 4JD Email: [email protected]

Other Grants are offered by the BMS, for more information please see the website ww.britmycolsoc.org.uk

15

Just for Fun

Devilish Conundrums

Below are four conudrums. Can you rearrange the letters to make a mycology related word?

C Y G Y L O O M

E E B N M A R M

O S A R I N G M

P I C R C A A N E O E

Fungi Wordsearch

For answers please see page 29

16

Undergraduate Bursary 2008 Reports

Thomas Kluyver moist, dark environment to encourage the production of apothecia. Plant Pathology & Microbiology,

Rothamsted Research. The qPCR showed the amount of fungal DNA Supervisor: Prof Bruce D.L. Fitt increasing with time in the susceptible oilseed

Investigating the host range of Pyrenopeziza brassicae (light leaf spot)

Studies in the late 1970s and early 1980s found that Pyrenopeziza brassicae, the pathogen causing light leaf spot of oilseed rape (Brassica napus), could infect and produce visible symptoms (asexual sporulation) on a number of other cultivated plants in the genus Brassica, including cabbage (B. oleracea), turnip (B. campestris) and black mustard (B. nigra), but that relatives in the family Brassicaceae, including wild radish (Raphanus raphanistrum) Immature P. brassicae apothecia growing on an and white mustard (Sinapis alba), appeared to excised leaf of oilseed rape (cv. Apex) be completely resistant. rape, and to a lesser extent in ‘resistant’ oilseed

rape and in black mustard. Scanning electron P. brassicae, however, has a long symptomless microscopy revealed hyphae growing only on growth phase, and examination of the plants the oilseed rape cultivars, although shortly may therefore have missed infections in which afterwards, sporulation was observed on leaves the fungus was growing beneath the cuticle, but of B. nigra. Examination of the leaves incubated not sporulating asexually, as occurs in a new in the dark suggested that apothecia formed ‘resistant’ oilseed rape cultivar. only on B. napus and B. nigra, although this

was not conclusive. These results support A selection of the species tested for resistance in the original conclusion that related genera in the 1970s and 1980s were grown in controlled the Brassicacae cannot be infected by environment conditions, along with susceptible and ‘resistant’ oilseed rape, and spray-inoculated P. brassicae. with I would like to thank the British Mycological P. brassicae conidiospores. Leaf samples were taken at 0, 10, 20 and 30 days after inoculation Society, for funding the placement, as well as and analysed using quantitative PCR (qPCR) to Emily Boys and Bruce Fitt for organising it and measure the amount of fungal DNA. I also working with me on the experiments. examined sections of leaf tissue under a scanning electron microscope, to look for hyphae and asexual sporulation. Finally, leaves were kept in a cool,

17

Undergraduate Bursary 2008 Reports

Tariq Hassam School of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen Supervisors: Dr Veronica Veses & Professor Neil Gow

Candida albicans is the most common agent of VAM2 and VAM9 encode for components in the serious fungal infection in humans (Gow, 2002; (homotypic fusion and vacuole protein sorting Gow et al., 2002, Netea et al., 2008).This fungal complex) (HOPS) complex. VAM3 and YKT6 pathogen can cause superficial infections in healthy encode for components of the SNARE complex. individuals and serious systemic infections in FAB1 and VAC7 encode for the immunocompromised patients, like those that have phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate 5-kinase and its undergoing chemotherapy treatments or had a regulator. VAC8 encodes for the vacuole receptor transplant. I for Vac17p, and is involved in vacuolar transport. VPS21 is a GTPase required for transport during n the US the medical care for people who suffer endocytosis and for correct sorting of vacuole from Candida infections is estimated to be around a hydrolases and finally YPT7 is GTP-binding protein billion dollars a year (Sudbery et al., 2004). Even of the Rab family required for homotypic fusion though the amount of resources invested in event in vacuole inheritances. It was possible to antifungal treatments and research the death rate is analyze the phenotype of the colonies and of the around 30-50% (Gow, 2002). Candida albicans cells in different conditions. exists in three morphological forms, yeast, pseudohyphae and true hyphae, and the ability to The mutants were grown at two different o o switch between these forms is considered to be temperatures (30 C and 37 C) on five different necessary for the virulence. media (YPD, spider, water supplemented with foetal calf serum, N-Acetyl-glucosamine as the only The hypothesis which I have been testing during carbon source and finally cells were grown as well my summer project is that vacuoles play a role in embedded in YPD). By looking at the morphology the regulation on hyphal development. Fungal form of the cells and on the colonies it was possible vacuoles are versatile organelles, involved in many to determine the effects on the growth of hyphae in cellular functions, related with macromolecular that strain. GTP-binding protein of the Rab family degradation, storage of amino acids, and required for homotypic fusion event in vacuole maintenance of pH and ion homeostasis. In inheritances. It was possible to analyze the filamentous fungi vacuoles play additional roles. In phenotype of the colonies and of the cells in C. albicans vacuolar-expansion processes support different conditions. hyphal development and because of that can contribute to virulence. The major observations of my study have been that the mutants show different growth in respect with I have been looking at the phenotype of 10 different the control strain, and these differences vary with mutants (eight tetracycline-regulated conditional the media and temperature used in the mutants that are affected at different stages of the experiments, so is possible to conclude that the vacuole inheritance pathway (VAC1, VAC7, VAC8, vacuole participates in the hyphal growth. FAB1, VAM3, YKT6, VAM2 and VAM9; Veses et al., 2009; and 2 null mutants, vps21 and ypt7 , I am very grateful for the opportunity for this Palmer et al., unpublished results). VAC1 experience, have learned a lot and seen the participates in the vacuole segregation process. differences between what laboratories 18

do though the university and how it will be done

after university. The people in the lab have been great to work with and helpful, would like to thank professor Neil Gow and Dr Veronica Veses giving me this opportunity and showing me the ropes as it were. Also for giving me the opportunity to present my results to the Aberdeen Fungal Group, allowing me to grow more confident about talking in front of a group for people.

I would also like to thank the BMS for funding me through this placement. Without them none of this would be possible. In all I think that this placement has increased my scientific knowledge and made me even more enthusiastic about Mycology.

BMS Grants, Sponsorship & Bursary Reports

If you are the recipient of a BMS grant or bursary, or BMS sponsorship, please send us your report as soon as possible after the event. Reports should be no longer than 500 words and should include photographs if possible. Please send all material to: [email protected]

Autumn Foray Report Loxton, Somerset, 18-24th October 2008

Forty-one mycologists enjoyed This part of Somerset adjacent Elsewhere, long established sporadically fine Autumn to the Bristol Channel presents woodland often lines the valleys weather to explore a corner of a series of prominent ridges and gorges and includes stands the West Country that had not running more or less east to of small-leaved lime, as well as been surveyed by the BMS for west, interspersed with flat and beech and other common some considerable time. Under often marshy land drained by deciduous trees. Because of a the able local leadership of dykes: the ‘levels’. The ridges very dry September and early Justin Smith, helped by Roy are made of Carboniferous October in 2008 the usual crops Betts and the North Somerset Limestone (like the rocks of of woodland mycorrhizal fungi – and Bristol Fungus Group, we Cheddar Gorge and the Mendip Russula, Lactarius, Amanita, were lucky enough to sample a Hills), and always have a pretty boletes and so on – were range of habitats in the area; village somewhere. distinctly rare, which made and the identifications were then normally profitable woodland carried out in a large and Where the ground is open, walks a little disappointing. pleasant room in the limestone turf is typical, and if Webbington Hotel in Loxton, sheep or cattle graze the slopes However, lusher ground near c