METAGENOMICS APPROACHES TO FUNGAL ECOLOGY

We will begin with a critical discussion of the knowledge on the role of fungi in ecosystems. This knowledge comes mostly from particular cases, centred in biotrophic species (parasitic or mutualistic interactions with plants or animals) and extrapolated to the communities. Direct community assessments are just beginning to gain prominence, mainly through metagenomics. Still, traditional approaches to species lists are an invaluable complement to the emerging data acquired through molecular approaches. This talk will review recent studies and current tools. Preliminary results in South Portugal forest ecosystems, obtained by the author and collaborators, will be presented for discussion.

Paulo Oliveira is a Biologist (Lisbon Faculty of Sciences), Ph.D. Biology (University of Évora). Geneticist (forest tree reproduction) and Mycologist (fungal communities, especially in forest ecosystems). Research background also in Biomedical Sciences (Univ. Porto, Univ. Zurich).

[Host: Herlander Azevedo, Plant Biology]

Image credits: Paulo Oliveira