Fungal systematics and taxonomy
Working group leader: Martin Kirchmair
Team:
- Georg Walch (PhD candidate)
- Alex Schwarz (PhD candidate)
- Katharina Russ (PhD candidate)
- Bettina Schneidhofer (TA)
Bachelor's and Master's students:
- Eldina Samardzic, BSc
- Erik Doubrava, BSc
Research area
Our working group specialises in fungal taxonomy. We are deeply involved in the scientific description and classification of new species of fungus.
Alongside basic research, we prioritise the practical application of our expertise. For instance, we analyse environmental samples, particularly from indoor environments, to identify and evaluate moulds, bacteria and wood-destroying fungi. This work is crucial for assessing microbial contamination and determining appropriate remediation measures.
We also focus on optimising workflows in environmental analysis. We develop and refine methods to make microbiological testing more efficient, precise and user-friendly.
Current projects
- Identification of CAZymes from Serpula lacrymans associated bacteria and quantification of their expression with focus on lignin and cellulose enzymes