Talk like a mycologist

Fruiting body – the spore-producing structure of a fungus or slime mould, often seen as a mushroom

Fungi – one of the five kingdoms of life (along with animals, plants, protists and monera), containing mushrooms, yeasts and some moulds

Mycology – the scientific study of fungi and related organisms

Protist – any organism with a nucleus that does not belong in the animal, plant or fungus kingdom, including algae, kelp, amoeba and slime moulds

Slime moulds – also known as myxomycetes, these are fungus-like protists that live in damp, shady habitats such as decaying wood and soil

Slime moulds are bizarre organisms that defy categorisation. Most are tiny, but some can grow surprising large; they may be single-celled or multicellular, depending on the stage of their life cycle; and they live in diverse environments, from the Arctic tundra to the hottest deserts. “Slime moulds, also called myxomycetes, were once classified as fungi, but are actually protists,” explains Dr Chinyere Knight from Tuskegee University. “They play a huge role in regulating soil health and decomposing organic matter.”

Most slime moulds prefer damp, shady environments where they can focus on breaking down rotting vegetation in peace, which is likely why they have historically been overlooked by mycologists. But now it is their turn in the ‘slimelight’.

Although mycologists usually study fungi, they also extend their expertise to slime moulds as the two categories share many attributes – even if they are not closely related. Both fungi and slime moulds play important roles in decomposition, reproduce using spores and favour dark, damp environments.

Studying slime moulds

Chinyere believes that if researchers give them the attention they deserve, slime moulds may hold the key to unlocking big societal advancements. “Studying the metabolic pathways of slime moulds and fungi may contribute to the development of new products and processes in medicine, agriculture and environmental science,” says Chinyere. The next pharmaceutical breakthrough, a new biotechnology for managing soil health, or even new ways of cleaning up pollution may well be found within the cells of a slime mould.

Slime moulds can also help to educate the next generation of scientists. “Slime moulds are exceptional model organisms, and we can use them to demonstrate basic biological processes,” says Chinyere. “They are also non-toxic and one species, Physarum polycephalum, has had its whole genome sequenced, which makes it hugely useful for genomic studies.” Chinyere is drawing on this organism’s comprehensive genetic database to introduce her students to principles of evolution, cell biology, development and ecology.

The EAGER project

Chinyere wants to ensure that momentum for slime mould research is carried over to the next generation, which is why she is enlisting undergraduate and graduate students for the EAGER project. “This project supports exploratory work into untested but potentially transformative research ideas related to slime moulds,” says Chinyere. The EAGER project has three main aims: 1) to create a reference database of certain gene sequences within myxomycetes, 2) to digitally curate the L. Frederick collection of slime moulds and 3) to train students in field collection and data science.

Over 40 years ago, Dr Lafeyette Frederick collected slime mould specimens from around the world, many of which are now housed in the L. Frederick collection at Tuskegee University. The EAGER project will extend his legacy by growing the collection, verifying identifications and transferring much of its information into a digital system to make it as accessible and long-lasting as possible. “Dr Frederick was a world-renowned mycologist, plant pathologist and botanist,” says Chinyere. “He provided a model of distinction, diligence and humility that is essential for those who want to thrive in the world of science.”

Foraging in the field

The diversity of slime moulds remains underexplored, despite the efforts of pioneering scientists like Dr Frederick. Chinyere is helping remedy this by collecting specimens from field sites, primarily in Macon County, Alabama, and training students to do the same. “I go out into the field in the warmer seasons, after a good rain,” she says. “When we find mature fruiting bodies, we put them into a small specimen box to preserve them for further morphological study.”

Morphological identification – identifying the species based on its physical characteristics – is something of a dying art, as more and more scientists rely on genetic techniques. “Morphological identification remains critical to maintain and expand natural history collections,” says Chinyere. “We train students in this skill to keep it alive.”

Sometimes, specimens can be identified on location using field guides, but sometimes they need closer analysis than the human eye can provide. “Fruiting bodies may be found on tree bark and in the leaf litter,” says Chinyere. “Some slime moulds are easy to spot and name, but smaller species require a dissecting microscope to view and identify. When we find a rare species, we take them to the lab and grow them in a moist chamber where we can monitor germination of spores.” Chinyere and her team also makes sure to take duplicate samples, so that some spores can be used for molecular studies in the future.

The next generation

The fieldwork and subsequent analysis by Chinyere and her students will bolster our slime mould knowledge and help address any sampling biases that exist in current slime mould catalogues. The EAGER project will create a more complete evidence base for understanding what slime moulds are and what they mean for the world and human society. “We’ve already done one survey of slime moulds in Camp Atkins Forest,” says Chinyere. “Soon, we’ll also collect samples from Tuskegee National Forest, to compare diversity and other characteristics between the two sites.”

Two of Chinyere’s graduate students, Brogin Van Skoik and Carmen Woods, are drawing on the project’s findings to create digital teaching and learning resources. “It’s important to share findings with the wider community,” says Chinyere. “We want to create interest and increase awareness about these fascinating organisms.” A new eight-week learning and research programme called Summer Learning Interactive Mycology Experience (SLIME), will further these goals. “I hope that this project will provide training and funds to support young mycologists and ecologists to pursue their dreams,” says Chinyere.

Dr Chinyere Knight
Associate Professor, Department of Biology, Tuskegee University, Alabama, USA

Fields of research: Mycology; microbiology; science education

Research project: Studying and cataloguing slime moulds while training the next generation of mycologists via the EAGER project

Funders: US National Science Foundation (NSF)

About mycology

Mycology is the study of fungi and fungus-like organisms, such as protists. As they have a more subtle role in our environment than animals or plants, fungi and protists often go unnoticed and slip under the radar. That means they are likely to hold important knowledge just waiting to be found – offering huge opportunities for future researchers. “There is plenty of room for discovery in the field of mycology!” enthuses Chinyere.

Because fungi and slime moulds are not such ‘glamorous’ species, money for mycology research can be hard to find. “Finding funding can be a challenge,” says Chinyere. “We tackle this by applying for funding from diverse sources and networking with other mycologists to work together and share opportunities.” As mycologists discover more about the importance of fungi and slime moulds to life on Earth, this has the potential to unlock more funding.

Chinyere is passionate about ensuring that mycology, and science in general, is accessible to all – a passion developed through personal experience. As a high school student, she attended the American Chemical Society’s Project SEED summer research programme, which was integral to her career. “For me, it was a critical turning point, allowing me to nurture my dreams and developing my desire to lead the next generation of young scientists,” says Chinyere.