Seminar of the Department of Microbiology
MSc Student Session 6
Sümeyra Akgün B.Sc. – M.Sc. candidate – Mycology - UIBK
Lukas Walter B.Sc. – M.Sc. candidate – Mycology - UIBK
13.11.2025, 11:00
- Join online
- or in presence: Seminarraum Biologie - (Technikerstr. 25, Viktor-Franz-Hess Haus, Parterre)
Abstracts
Akgün: Ethanol-preserved material provides the basis to obtain molecular information from marine and terrestrial phytomyxid parasites
Phytomyxea are obligate biotrophic protists that belong to the Rhizaria, including both terrestrial (Plasmodiophorida) and marine (Phagomyxida, Marinomyxa) lineages. Despite their ecological importance, the biology of many phytomyxids remain under-investigated since they cannot be grown in culture. Indeed, for many species the only available material are ethanol(EtOH)-preserved field samples, especially for marine lineages. Relying on these samples for molecular studies is therefore crucial to better characterize the evolutionary relationships within this diverse group of parasites. This study aims at developing an optimized workflow to extract high-quality genomic DNA from EtOH-preserved material and to establish the basis for downstream molecular studies across the entire taxon. Secondarily, we attempt an investigation of genome size evolution across the taxon using three selected phytomyxid species. The protocol for DNA extraction from EtOH-preserved samples and genome size estimation has been developed and validated on Plasmodiophora brassicae, the model organism for Phytomyxea. This provided the basis for protocol optimization for selected marine and terrestrial phytomyxid samples such as Feldmaniella bicaudata, Marinomyxa marina and Sorosphaerula veronicae, respectively. The retrieved DNA will be used for genome size estimation through quantitative PCR, potentially complemented with flow cytometry, to gain new insights into the genomic evolution in Phytomyxea. Together, these results will provide a first foundation for understanding the genomic characteristics and evolutionary diversity of Phytomyxea across terrestrial and marine environments.
Walter: The Impact of Drought Intensity and Recovery on Ectomycorrhizal Fungal Activity
Fungi play a vital role in ecosystems and economies worldwide, particularly through their symbiotic associations with plants. One of the most significant of these interactions occurs at fine root tips, where fungi form mycorrhizae—mutualistic partnerships that enhance plant nutrient and water uptake in exchange for photoassimilates. Because this symbiosis is strongly influenced by abiotic factors such as water availability, this study investigates how varying drought intensities and their legacy effects impact the activity of ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi. To address this, a controlled drought experiment was conducted during the summer of 2024 at the Botanical Garden of Innsbruck, examining ECM hyphal growth associated with four tree species: Pinus sylvestris, Larix decidua, Fagus sylvatica, and Quercus robur. By clarifying how ectomycorrhizal fungi respond to drought stress and a subsequent recovery phase, this research enhances our understanding of forest adaptation strategies in a warming world.