Environmental Mycology

Environmental Mycology Group
Fungi are active even in winter (© Dietmar Schlosser)

Research topics

Fungi colonise different, incredibly diverse habitats on our planet. Many of them are potent primary decomposers of complex organic macromolecules such as lignocellulose and thus important players of different ecosystems, with indispensable functions for food webs and the global carbon cycle. At the same time, many fungi can convert organic environmental pollutants into compounds that are less harmful or no longer harmful at all. Certain groups of enzymes involved in lignocellulose decomposition (e.g. extracellular lignin-modifying enzymes, but also intracellular cytochrome P450 systems) are also involved in the biotransformation of organic environmental pollutants. Such biocatalytic capabilities make fungi and their enzymes extremely attractive for various (environmental) biotechnological applications (e.g. for wastewater treatment or biorefinery applications).

In our working group, we strive to identify degradation potentials of fungi with various adaptations to different terrestrial or aquatic habitats, to understand the underlying principles and mechanisms, and to make them accessible for those types of potential applications for which they seem particularly suitable.

With regard to synthetic organic compounds that pollute the environment, our work currently focuses on synthetic polymers (plastics), plastic additives (e.g. phthalic acid esters) and other micropollutants.

A second research focus is based on the ability of fungi to utilise lignocellulose-based natural substrates and addresses the valorisation of agricultural waste or by-products in a sustainable bioeconomy approach.

Scientists

Dr. Mariam Karagulyan

 

PhD candidates

Stefanie Clauß


Technicians

Madlen Schubert

Alumni

Charles Junghanns
Claudia Martin
Benjamin Otto
Martin Krüger
Elham Jahangiri
Ulrike Hofmann
Hieu Linh Duong



Current research projects and co-operations

TapNature - Tapping nature’s potential for sustainable production and a healthy environment - towards a waste-minimized sustainable bioeconomy (2021 - 2027; Helmholtz research program "Changing Earth - Sustaining our Future")

FINEST Microplastics - Use and management of finest particulate anthropogenic material flows in a sustainable circular economy (2022 - 2027; Helmholtz project funded within the Helmholtz Sustainability Challenge)

CLEANER - Fostering pollutant-sink functions of blue-green Infrastructures: towards local urban water cycles in climate-resilient cities (2023 - 2026; PhD college of UFZ's Research Unit Environmental Engineering and Biotechnology)

microPlastics Competence Cluster at UFZ

Completed projects

DeltAdapt - Sustainable adaptation of coastal agro-ecosystems to increased salinity intrusion (BMBF project)

BIOCLEAN - Biotechnological solutions for the degradation of synthetic polymeric materials (EU FP7 project)

MINOTAURUS - Microorganism and enzyme Immobilization: Novel techniques and approaches for upgraded remediation of underground-, wastewater and soil (EU FP7 project)

SOPHIED - Novel sustainable bioprocesses for the European colour industries (EU FP6 project)

Adaptive physiological and biochemical reactions caused by ecological relevant substances (DFG graduate school)


Selected publications

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2024 (2)

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2023 (3)

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2022 (5)

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2021 (4)

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2020 (6)

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2018 (4)

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2017 (5)

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2016 (2)

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2015 (7)

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2014 (7)

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2012 (5)

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2011 (4)

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2010 (2)

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2009 (2)

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2008 (7)

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2007 (3)

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2006 (4)

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2005 (3)

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2004 (5)

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2003 (3)

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2002 (9)

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2001 (4)

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2000 (2)

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