Ateneo - UPO

Fungal cell biology and morphological characteristics; fungal life cycles and sexual and asexual reproduction; fungal taxonomy, systematics, and evolution; fungal ecology and the role of fungi in biogeochemical cycles and interactions with other organisms, with particular emphasis on fungal symbioses; the impact of fungi on human, animal, and plant health, including major fungal diseases; mycotoxin production and its implications for food safety; fungal genomics and molecular methods for species identification and characterization; biotechnological applications of fungi, with particular emphasis on the production of antibiotics, enzymes, and metabolites of industrial interest, fermentation processes, and their applications in agriculture and environmental remediation.

Deacon, J. W. (2013). Fungal biology. John Wiley & Sons.
Webster, J., & Weber, R. (2007). Introduction to fungi. Cambridge university press.
Deacon, J. W., & Locci, R. (2000). Micologia moderna. Calderini edagricole.

Understand the biology, ecology, and evolution of fungi, including their life cycles, cellular structures, and reproductive systems. Become familiar with the tools and methods used to identify fungal species based on morphological characteristics, habitats, and molecular analyses. Study the role of fungi in ecosystems, including their contributions to decomposition, nutrient cycling, and symbiotic interactions with plants and animals, including humans. Understand how fungi affect human health, agriculture, and industry, considering both their beneficial and harmful impacts. Become familiar with the main biotechnological applications of fungi, with particular emphasis on the production of antibiotics, enzymes, metabolites of industrial interest, and fermentation processes. Understand the role of fungi as pathogens and producers of mycotoxins, with particular attention to the main risks associated with food contamination, food safety, and human and animal health. Acquire practical skills in fungal cultivation and analysis, including the application of molecular biology techniques.

Cell biology, organic chemistry, botany

12 lectures, each lasting 4 hours

Students with disabilities, learning disabilities or special education needs, once they have contacted the University Staff, can refer to the tutor in charge of the course to define the examination modalities, concerning
academic aspects.

Oral exam

Introduction to mycology and fungal cell biology. Fungal cell structure and organization, with particular emphasis on the cell wall. Fungal growth, differentiation, life cycles, and sexual and asexual reproduction. Nutritional strategies and metabolic pathways in fungi. Fungal taxonomy, systematics, and evolution. Fungal pathogens of plants, humans, and animals, including mechanisms of pathogenicity and host–pathogen interactions. Wood-decaying fungi and their ecological roles. Fungal–plant interactions, including mycorrhizal associations and endophytic fungi. Lichens and other fungal symbioses. Fungi in food production and fermentation processes. Medicinal applications of fungi, including the production of antibiotics and other bioactive compounds. Fungal enzymes and their industrial and biotechnological applications. Mycotoxins, food contamination, and implications for food safety and human and animal health. Fungal genomics, genome evolution, and fungal hybridization. Molecular approaches to fungal identification and characterization. Metagenomics, environmental DNA analysis, and fungal biodiversity. Extremophilic fungi and their adaptations to extreme environments. Fungal secondary metabolism and the production of bioactive metabolites. The role of fungi in biogeochemical cycles, climate change, and environmental sustainability. Applications of fungi in agriculture, biological control, and bioremediation.

Acquire a solid understanding of fungal classification, biology, evolution, and ecology, including their main morphological, cellular, and physiological characteristics, life cycles, and reproductive strategies.
Understand the role of fungi in ecosystems, particularly as decomposers, pathogens, and symbionts, and be able to interpret their contributions to biogeochemical cycles, biodiversity, and ecosystem functioning.
Become familiar with the main interactions between fungi and other organisms, including the mechanisms underlying symbiotic associations and pathogenic interactions with plants, animals, and humans.
Become familiar with the main techniques for fungal isolation, cultivation, and identification, as well as molecular biology and genomic approaches used for fungal characterization and the study of fungal biodiversity. Develop the ability to interpret the results of morphological and molecular analyses. Understand the importance of fungi for human and animal health, agriculture, and the food, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology industries, recognizing both their beneficial and harmful effects. Become familiar with the main applications of fungi in the production of antibiotics, enzymes, and other metabolites of industrial interest, as well as the risks associated with fungal infections and mycotoxin production. Develop critical skills in evaluating scientific literature and interpreting experimental data, applying the acquired knowledge to the understanding of biological, ecological, and applied aspects of mycology.