Understanding fungus

In a crowded, two-room lab, Southeast Missouri State University biologists and students are growing mushrooms as part of a national project aimed at decoding their genetic makeup, a feat scientists believe will lead to new understandings of biological processes.

Southeast biologists are collaborating with scientists at Duke University and the University of North Carolina on a two-year, $744,055 project to map out about 5,000 genes in the Coprinus cinereus, a small umbrella-shaped mushroom. The project is funded by the National Science Foundation.

Southeast biology professors Dr. Walt Lilly and Dr. Allen Gathman along with three undergraduate students are working on the nuts-and-bolts end of the project.

Southeast's share of the grant money is about $110,000, Gathman said.

The three students have spent part of the summer doing what Gathman calls "fungus farming," growing the fungus to be studied. The researchers are growing fungus under a variety of conditions, including different temperatures, and then extracting RNA, various nucleic acids that are key controllers in cellular chemical activities.

'Cutting edge of big science'

Over the next two years, as many as 15 Southeast science students may participate in the research project, said Gathman.

"This is really on the cutting edge of big science," said Lilly. "This is as cutting edge as students can get at any university in the country."

"It is pure research," Gathman said as he showed off the wispy white fungus growing in petri dishes.

The project involves freezing the budding fungus in liquid nitrogen and tagging it with radioactive phosphorus to help pinpoint the gene sequence. Ultimately, he said, the project -- which officially began July 1 -- will provide the foundation for future research in everything from medical treatments to crops.

Some human and plant pathogens which cause diseases are found in fungi.

"If somebody is looking for a treatment, knowing the genes and how they work together is important," Gathman said.

Iraq under Saddam Hussein experimented with "smut bombs" that were capable of blanketing crops with destructive fungal diseases, he said.

Fungi offer a good subject for scientific experiments that aid in understanding various biological processes, Gathman said.

The multicellular Coprinus cinereus, a member of the phylum of fungi called basidomycetes, is easily cultivated in the laboratory and has a two-week life cycle. In the project, which is part of the National Science Foundation's Microbial Genome Sequencing Program, the goal of Southeast researchers will be to sequence about 5,000 genes in the mushroom. Coprinus cinereus will be the first basidiomycete to have its genome sequenced.

The research could help commercial mushroom growers as well. "The information we come up with will help with knowing how they grow and function," Gathman said.

Lilly and Pat Pukkila, the primary scientist working on the project at the University of North Carolina, became acquainted while collaborating on a different research project several years ago.

Pakkila is coordinating this project. Duke University scientists will handle much of the computer analysis on the research effort.

Unusual opportunity

At Rhodes Hall of Science, student Bruno Murphy of Jackson sat behind a glass screen, wearing safety goggles and gloves as he worked with radioactive samples of mushroom cells. "This is exciting work," he said.

Student Michelle Carlson of Eden Prairie, Minn., said she likes the hands-on lab work and the critical thinking involved in the experiments.

Lilly, who has studied fungi for 29 years, said it's unusual for undergraduate biology students to have an opportunity to participate in molecular biology research and to interact with researchers at major institutions.

"We have undergraduates who can gain a tremendous amount of experience," he said.

mbliss@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 123

On the Net

biology.semo.edu/agathman/research/