Common VS Opportunistic Fungi Present in Milltown, New Jersey
Carla Salib
Co-Presenters: Individual Presentation
College: The Dorothy and George Hennings College of Science, Mathematics and Technology
Major: Biology
Faculty Research Mentor: Thomas Comollo
Abstract:
Fungi are diverse and can be found in most places including soil, however, the different strains allow for different usage. There are different types of Fungi in Soil including Mycorrhizal Fungi, Decomposers, and Pathogenic Fungi. These different types have different functions which include nutrient cycling, maintaining soil structure and fertility, disease suppression by protecting plants from pathogens by outcompeting harmful microorganisms, and having symbiotic relationships with plants. Some of the Factors that Affect Fungal Communities in Soil and the types of Fungi present include soil pH, moisture, organic matter levels, and temperature. The purpose of this research was to build fungi collections through collecting soil samples from my backyard and the lake in Milltown and compare the common VS opportunistic fungi present in the collections. Common Fungi exist in different environments and play fundamental roles in maintaining ecosystem balance while Opportunistic Fungi primarily exist in harsh environments such as acidic or hot environments. PCR and gene sequencing can then be used to identify each fungus in the collections. The strains and knowledge of their identification will be used to predict potential biotechnological applications.