Research interest:  [back to Index]

The sound identification of fungi holds benefits for many applied aspects of scientific research. Knowledge of the identity of a particular fungus is the key to accessing literature data about it. The characterisation of production strains is also important for patent and publication purposes, and to identify taxonomic groupings worthy of further investigation. The correlation of taxonomic and chemical data has synergistic effects. Taxonomic work therefore frequently accompanies more applied research activities at the IBWF. We have first-hand taxonomic expertise in most major groups of fungi.

We also make our knowledge available to the local community in order to solve problems caused e.g. by indoor mould or dry rot infestations.

Methods    [back to Index]

Depending on requirements, both microscopy-based and molecular methods are employed. The latter focus on ribosomal DNA sequences, i.e. ITS, 18S and 28S rDNA. These are amplified and sequenced either from pure cultures or from environmental samples. Phylogenetic analyses are performed for research purposes.

 

Fig. 1: Some primers in current use for rDNA amplification.

Examples of our work    [back to Index]

Indoor moulds and other contaminants of buildings

One aspect of particular concern is the steep increase in allergies such as asthma and hay fever which are frequently caused by fungi. Together with the TÜV Pfalz, the IBWF provides a service for analysing indoor mould contaminations both in the air and on building materials.

(Link to PDF file of TÜV leaflet)

 

Fig. 2: Comparison of an indoor air sample (left) with the reference sample taken outside the house (right). Air filters were cut in half and incubated on agar.

Fig. 3: Growth of dry rot (Serpula lacrymans) on the ceiling of an old house with a leaky roof. The arrows point to sites of old fruit-bodies; the dotted circle indicated renewed mycelial growth.

Identification of producing strains

Galiellalactone, a promising anti-inflammatory substance, and related hexaketides are produced by a range of fungal isolates, including fruiting ascomycetes and non-fruiting endophytes. All of them were shown to belong to the Sarcosomataceae (Pezizales, Ascomycota), indicating that the ability to produce this hexaketide appears to be limited to a particular taxon.

Identification of fungal endophytes

Endophytic fungi are considered to harbour one of the largest unexplored pools of biodiversity on this planet. They are commonly isolated as mycelium which is either sterile or produces only asexual spores in culture. Identification often has to rely on DNA-based methods.

Fig. 4: Endophytic Phoma medicaginis growing from surface-sterilized shoot segments of healthy-looking Medicago sp.

 

Identification of new or unusual pathogens

Using a combination of isolation, cultivation, microscopic and DNA-based identification methods, we were able to identify Pythium undulatum as the cause of a new root rot of conifers in Christmas tree plantations in Northern Germany.

 

Fig. 5: Noble fir (Abies procera) dying of root infection by P. undulatum.

Fig. 6: Sporangia (left) and chlamydospores (right) of P. undulatum.

 

 

Phylogenetic aspects.

It is often desirable to place new or emerging pathogens into a wider phylogenetic context in order to elucidate their possible origin. Puccinia distincta, the new rust on Bellis perennis which has caused a major pan-European epidemic from 1997 onwards, is closely related to P. lagenophorae and P. obscura from which it may be derived.

 

Fig. 7: Aecia of Puccinia distincta causing rust on Bellis perennis.

Publications:  [back to Index]

 

Filip, P., Weber, R. W. S., Sterner, O. & Anke, T. (2003). Hormonemate, a new cytotoxic and apoptosis-inducing compound from the endophytic fungus Hormonema dematioides. I. Identification of the producing strain, and isolation and biological properties of hormonemate. Zeitschrift für Naturforschung 58c: 547-552.

Köpcke, B., Weber, R.W.S. & Anke, H. (2002). Galiellalactone and its biogenetic precursors as chemotaxonomic markers of the Sarcosomataceae (Ascomycota). Phytochemistry 60: 709-714.

Schwarz, M., Köpcke, B., Weber, R.W.S., Sterner, O. & Anke, H. (2004). 3-Hydroxypropionic acid as a nematicidal principle in endophytic fungi. Phytochemistry (in press).

Weber, R.W.S. & Tribe, H.T. (2003). Oil as a substrate for Mortierella species. Mycologist 17: 134-139.

Weber, R.W.S., Kuhn, A. & Anke, H. (2003). Soil-borne Penicillium spp. and other microfungi as efficient degraders of the explosive RDX (hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine). Mycological Progress 2: 83-93.

Weber, R.W.S., Webster, J. & Engel, G. (2003). Phylogenetic analysis of Puccinia distincta and P. lagenophorae, two closely related rust fungi on Asteraceae. Mycological Research 107: 15-24.

Weber, R.W.S., Sulzer, F.-L. & Haarhaus, M. (2004). Pythium undulatum, cause of root rot of Abies procera Christmas trees and Pseudotsuga menziesii in Northern Germany. Mycological Progress 3 (in press).

 

Contact:  [back to Index]

Prof. Dr. Heidrun Anke

CEO IBWF
Mail: anke@ibwf.de
Office 56/146; Tel.: +631/31672-10