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Category: Research

Research – Mycological Genetics and Signaling Pathways

 

This research aims to further understand how and why mycelium communicates.

  1. Cell-to-Cell Communication: Filamentous fungi exhibit complex cell-to-cell communication and fusion processes. Molecular and genetic mechanisms mediate interactions between Ascomycete cells, facilitating intricate communication and fusion events within the fungal network (Pierre-Louis Alaux et al., 2020).
  2. Conscious Patterns: Fungal mycelia display decision-making abilities and modify their developmental patterns in response to interactions with other organisms. This indicates a level of consciousness or responsiveness within the mycelium network, showcasing its adaptability and dynamic nature (Money, 2021).
  3. Calcium Signaling: Studies reveal that mycelial networks transmit information through local calcium signals. Visualization techniques identify downstream effects, providing insights into the signalling mechanisms within the fungal network (Itani et al., 2023).
    Many fungi live as mycelia, which are networks of hyphae. Mycelial networks are suited for the widespread distribution of nutrients and water. The logistical capabilities are critical for the extension of fungal survival areas, nutrient cycling in ecosystems, mycorrhizal symbioses, and virulence (Itani et al., 2023).
  4. Interplant Communication for Risk Prevention: Common Mycorrhizal Networks (CMN) in arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi establish channels for interplant communication. Plants connected by CMN can communicate and prepare for various environmental challenges, such as aphid attacks (Pierre-Louis Alaux et al., 2020)(Zdenka Babikova et al., 2013).

Conclusion:

Communication within mycelium occurs as a means of mitigating environmental risks, facilitating nutrient exchange, coordinating virulence factors, fostering symbiotic relationships, and ultimately, fostering adaptation to maintain ecological equilibrium.

Sources:

  • Itani, A., Shunsuke Masuo, Yamamoto, R., Serizawa, T., Fukasawa, Y., Naoki Takaya, Toyota, M., Shigeyuki Betsuyaku and Takeshita, N. (2023). Local calcium signal transmission in mycelial network exhibits decentralized stress responses. PNAS nexus, [online] 2(3). doi:https://doi.org/10.1093/pnasnexus/pgad012.
  • Money, N.P. (2021). Hyphal and mycelial consciousness: the concept of the fungal mind. Fungal Biology, [online] 125(4), pp.257–259. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.funbio.2021.02.001.
  • Pierre-Louis Alaux, Françoise Naveau, Declerck, S. and Cranenbrouck, S. (2020). Common Mycorrhizal Network Induced JA/ET Genes Expression in Healthy Potato Plants Connected to Potato Plants Infected by Phytophthora infestans. Frontiers in Plant Science, [online] 11. doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2020.00602.
  • Zdenka Babikova, Gilbert, L., Toby, Birkett, M., Caulfield, J.C., Woodcock, C., Pickett, J.A. and Johnson, D. (2013). Underground signals carried through common mycelial networks warn neighbouring plants of aphid attack. Ecology Letters, [online] 16(7), pp.835–843. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/ele.12115.

Research – Language of fungi derived from their electrical spiking activity

“While studying another species of fungus, Ganoderma resinaceum, we found that the most common width of an electrical potential spike is 5–8 min. In both species of fungi, we observed bursts of spiking in the trains of the spike similar to that observed in the central nervous system. While the similarity could be just phenomenological, this indicates a possibility that mycelium networks transform information via interaction of spikes and trains of spikes in manner homologous to neurons.” [1]

“We recorded extracellular electrical activity of four species of fungi. We found evidences of the spike trains propagating along the mycelium network. We speculated that fungal electrical activity is a manifestation of the information communicated between distant parts of the fungal colonies.” [1]

“We therefore attempted to uncover key linguistic phenomena of the proposed fungal language. We found that distributions of lengths of spike trains, measured in a number of spikes, follow the distribution of word lengths in human languages. We found that size of fungal lexicon can be up to 50 words; however, the core lexicon of most frequently used words does not exceed 15–20 words. [1]

Adamatzky, Andrew. “Language of Fungi Derived from Their Electrical Spiking Activity.” Royal Society Open Science 9, no. 4 (April 2022). https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.211926.


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