Environmental and neoteric sciences exploring sexually boring organisms

Abstract

There are about 72,000 named fungi species with 700-1,500 being added each year. Within the fungi kingdom species belonging to the Ascomycota and Basidomycota phyla are environmentally significant. They are vital for the ecosystem functions, segregating a broad range of hydrolytic enzymes that ensure the most important reactions of the carbon cycle on Earth, and producing chemically and structurally complex secondary metabolites.
The Applied and Environmental Mycology group aims at producing scientific knowledge on whole fungal cell biocatalysis systems. The research plan was set in order to tackle challenging global problems, such as pollution and sustainable biotechnological processes. A better understanding of microbial diversity may lead to its use as a source of novel microorganisms and biomolecules for a variety of biotechnological applications, especially within biodegradation and bioremediation.
Ionic liquids, i.e. molten salts, are classified as “green” alternative solvents, offering unexpected opportunities on the interface with the life sciences. However, in order to move these solvents beyond being an academic curiosity, their environmental, health, and safety impact must be further investigated. The team is addressing this multidisciplinary subject, which links Microbiology to Green Chemistry, aiming to the understanding of ionic liquids eco-toxicological impacts on eukaryotic organisms.