Fungi: friends or foes-an outreach science initiative for the collection of airborne fungal spores by high school students.

ABSTRACT: Fungi mostly reproduce through spores that are adapted for airborne dispersal; hence, fungal spores (and fungi) are found virtually everywhere. Fungi can be "friends or foes." Our friends include fungi used in the food and biotech industries, fungi that contribute to the cycling of carbon and nutrients, and those involved in the decontamination of polluted soils and/or water, to mention just a few examples. Many species, however, are foes-they are detrimental to plants, animals, and/or humans. Annually, >1.5 million people die due to invasive fungal infections. With the aim of enhancing microbiology literacy and the understanding of microbial concepts, we set up a project for the collection of airborne spores (the principal agent through which human airways are exposed to fungi). Students

SUBMITTER: Piontkivska D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11360558 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature