MycoWeekly Newsletter

Your Weekly Dose of Mycology Research

Genomic divergence across the tree of life.

2025-02-27
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America • Level 3 (24 panels)
Rowan Hart, N. Moran, Howard Ochman

This study examines the correlation between genome-wide sequence divergence and species delineation across eukaryotes and prokaryotes. Notably, eukaryotic species, including fungi, generally exhibit <1% sequence divergence, while prokaryotic species endure higher divergence yet maintain gene flow. Findings suggest >1% divergence likely indicates distinct eukaryotic species, contrasting with prokaryotic recombination thresholds.

Read full paper

Clonal Candida auris and ESKAPE pathogens on the skin of residents of nursing homes.

2025-02-26
Nature • Level 3 (24 panels)
Diana M Proctor, Sarah E. Sansom, C. Deming, S. Conlan, Ryan A. Blaustein, T. K. Atkins, Thelma E Dangana, Christine Fukuda, Lahari Thotapalli, Heidi H. Kong, Michael Y. Lin, Mary K. Hayden, Julie A. Segre

Candida auris, a multidrug-resistant yeast, and ESKAPE pathogens, known for their role in hospital-acquired infections, are prevalent on the skin of nursing home residents. This study identifies the skin as a significant reservoir, harboring these clonal pathogenic organisms and their associated antimicrobial-resistance genes, highlighting a critical public health concern in such communal settings.

Read full paper

A travelling-wave strategy for plant–fungal trade

2025-02-26
Nature • Level 3 (24 panels)
Loreto Oyarte Gálvez, Corentin Bisot, Philippe Bourrianne, Rachael Cargill, Malin Klein, Marije van Son, J. van Krugten, Victor Caldas, Thomas Clerc, Kai-Kai Lin, Félix Kahane, Simon van Staalduine, Justin D Stewart, Victoria Terry, Bianca Turcu, Sander van Otterdijk, Antoine Babu, Marko Kamp, Marco Seynen, Bas Steenbeek, Jan Zomerdijk, Evelina Tutucci, Merlin Sheldrake, Christophe Godin, Vasilis Kokkoris, H. Stone, E. Kiers, Thomas S Shimizu

Mycorrhizal fungi form symbiotic relationships with plant roots, facilitating a nutrient exchange network. Recent research reveals that these fungi develop as self-regulating travelling waves. This network architecture, characterized by growing tips pulling nutrient-absorbing mycelium, balances the density through fusion, effectively addressing competing trade demands.

Read full paper

Computational biology predicts metabolic engineering targets for increased production of 103 valuable chemicals in yeast.

2025-02-25
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America • Level 3 (24 panels)
Iván Domenzain, Yao Lu, Haoyu Wang, Junling Shi, Hongzhong Lu, Jens Nielsen

Metabolic engineering involves modifying microbial gene expressions to enhance production efficiency of chemicals. This study introduces a computational method that identifies genetic targets to improve the production of 103 chemicals in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Notably, the pipeline identifies gene sets applicable across multiple chemicals, paving the way for versatile platform strains in bioproduction.

Read full paper