A Closer Examination of Bioluminescence in Mycenoid Fungi: Evolution and Application
Robinson, Langdon
Robinson, Langdon
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Abstract
While fungal bioluminescence is a well known phenomenon and its mechanisms are now well understood, the biodiversity and ecological adaptations of bioluminescent mushrooms remain only partially described. It is believed that there may be a significant population of mycenoid mushrooms which display cryptic bioluminescence, producing light in a manner which has been overlooked and/or undocumented thus far. This study hopes to closer examine the genomes of the broader mycenae population to test for the presence of genes in the bioluminescence gene cluster (BL gene cluster). By identifying these genes in fungi commonly considered non-bioluminescent, we seek to both identify previously overlooked bioluminescent mycenoid mushrooms and gain insight into the evolutionary adaptations provided by these genes. Our study begins by sequencing and analysing the genomes of the complete Mycena collection present in the UVM Pringle Herbarium, as well as samples of common Mycena spp. requested from other prominent North American fungariums. We expect to find several species of Mycena which present the BL gene cluster with undocumented bioluminescence; consequently, cryptic bioluminescence of both wild collected and lab grown samples will be assessed. Additionally, we will select a species of bioluminescent Mycena for the development of a new model system of fungal light production, of which we will create several Light Knockout mutants. Using these mutants we hope to describe phenotypic differences, besides lack of light production, resulting from the knock out of the BL gene cluster. Finally, we will test a hypothesis for evolutionary adaptivity of bioluminescence- the utility of arthropod attraction for spore dispersal. Overall, we believe these studies will provide us with greater insight into the ecology and biodiversity of bioluminescence present in mycenoid mushrooms. This poster describes an imagined project developed as an assignment in PBIO 3990-E, Advanced Mycology Lab (Terry Delaney, instructor).
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Date
1/1/2026
Student Status
Senior (Graduating in 2026)
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Poster
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Biological Sciences
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College of Arts and Sciences
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Life Science