Unlocking the marine fungi biomass degradation potential

Fungi are incredible organisms that thrive almost anywhere, whether on land, in water, on deep marine sediment or even in icy environments. They possess a unique ability: breaking down tough substances like wood, oil, and even plastic. This superpower is vital for recycling and maintaining the balance of Earth`s carbon and nitrogen cycles. Existing for about a billion years, fungi were among the first life forms to settle on land and have significantly influenced how life evolved on our planet. Fungi and their products are used in various industries such as food, textiles, detergents, biochemistry, biofuels, drugs, and environmental cleanup. For instance, their oldest known applications include fermenting beverages like beer and wine or making bread. The focus of our research project is on fungi that live in both marine and terrestrial environments. We aim to understand how these fungi break down and recycle substances from plants and marine life. By comparing different types of fungi from land and sea, we will analyze their genetic and molecular processes involved in breaking down organic matter. This kind of detailed study hasn`t been done before and could reveal essential differences between marine and land-based fungi. Led by Dr. Tiziano Benocci from the University of Vienna, Department of Functional and Evolutionary Biology, our goal is to gather valuable data to address environmental challenges and develop new technologies, like producing biofuels and other useful products. Essentially, we are striving to deepen our understanding of how fungi function in different environments to contribute to more sustainable solutions for our planet. The project involves collaborations with international partners from the University of Bologna (Italy) and the Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute (Netherlands).