Course Information – Spring 2018 to Fall 2019

Degree of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, UNAM

180 hours (4 semesters)

Course link (in Spanish)

 

Instructors 
Camille Truong, UNAM

Roberto Garibay Orijel, UNAM

María de los Ángeles Herrera Campos, UNAM

Andres Argüelles Moyao, UNAM

Julieta Álvarez Manjarrez, UNAM

Joshua Anthuan Bautista González, UNAM

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Location & Time
Faculty of Science, salón del taller (3rd floor), Thursday 09:00AM-11:00AM

Lab activities in each professor's laboratory

 

Objectives

Biology students will learn the theoretical background and methods to develop their own research project related to the diversity of fungi, their interactions with other organisms and their role in different ecosystems. This course will cover topics of taxonomy, molecular systematics, evolution and ecology of fungi, including lichens. Specifically, students will acquire:

• Fundamentals of fungal biology, ecology and evolution

• Knowledge of the major fungal lineages and trophic modes (mycorrhizal, saprophytic and lichenized)

• Laboratory skills (microscopy, culture media, DNA sequencing) related to their research project

• Statistical and phylogenetic skills for the analysis of their project data

• Critical thinking based on scientific literature

• Communication skills in Spanish and English (tests, presentations in class, punctual project reports, poster design)

 

Prerequisites
Having successfully completed four terms of the Biology degree at UNAM (200 credits) and an interest for fungi.

 

Topics covered
UNIT 1 – 1st semester

1.1 Theoretical knowledge about fungal diversity and ecology

        1.1.1 Morphological, physiological and genetic characters

        1.1.2 Mycorrhizal, saprophytic and lichenized trophic modes

        1.1.3 Status of knowledge about fungi in Mexico and the world

        1.1.4 Threats and conservation of fungal diversity

1.2 Define a clear and relevant research question that will be addressed during the course

1.3 Document this research question based on primary scientific literature

1.4 Develop a research protocol and present it to the class and in a final report

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UNIT 2 – 2nd semester

2.1 Introduction to the methods used for the study of fungi

        2.1.1 Microscopy

​        2.1.2 Culture media

        2.1.3 Molecular methods

2.3 Sampling methods during a 3-days field trip (PN La Malinche)

2.4 Define an appropriate experimental design for the research project

2.5 Document these methods based on primary scientific literature

2.6 Present the experimental design to the class and in a final report

2.7 Present a seminar about a recent scientific article relevant to methodological aspects of the research project

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UNIT 3 – 3rd semester

3.1 Introduction to data analysis in fungal studies

        3.1.1 Statistical methods

        3.1.2 Phylogenetic methods

3.2 Collect data relevant to the research project

3.3 Document and interpret these data based on primary scientific literature

3.4 Present the advances of the research project to the class and in a final report

3.5 Present a seminar about a recent scientific article relevant to the results of the research project

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UNIT 4 – 4th semester

4.1 Analyze the results of the research project and contrast them with the background and methodological information

4.2 Document and interpret these results based on primary scientific literature

4.3 Present a seminar about a recent scientific article relevant to the topic of the research project

4.4 Make a poster from the research project to be presented and discussed in class *

4.4 Submit the final manuscript of the research project

* Ideally, the students will participate in a scientific forum or conference

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Evaluation

UNIT 1 & 2

Presence and participation in class – 10%

Scientific article presentation and discussion – 20% 

Two partial exams – 30%

Final report – 20% oral,  20% written

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UNIT 3 & 4

Presence and participation in class – 10%

Scientific article presentation and discussion – 20%

Progress in the realization of the research project – 30%

Final report – 20% oral,  20% written

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Bibliography 

Allen MF (1991) The ecology of mycorrhizae. Cambridge University Press.

Boddy L, Frankland JC, West PV (2007) Ecology of saprotrophic Basidiomycetes. Academic Press.

Brodo IM, Sharnoff SD, Sharnoff S (2001) Lichens of North America. Yale University Press.

Deshmukh SK, Rai MK (2005). Biodiversity of fungi - their role in human life. Science Publisher.

Cairney JWG, Chambers SM (1999) Ectomycorrhizal fungi - key genera in profile. Springer Verlag.

Corrales A, Henkel TW, Smith ME (2018) Ectomycorrhizal associations in the tropics - biogeography, diversity patterns and ecosystem roles. New Phytol. 220: 1076-91.

Deising HB (2009) The Mycota V - plant relationships. Springer Verlag.

Dighton J (2016) Fungi in ecosystem processes. CRC Press

Hock B (2012) The Mycota IX - fungal associations. Springer Verlag.

Kaul TN (2002) Biology and conservation of mushrooms. Science Pub Inc.

Kubicek CP, Druzhinina IS (2007) The Mycota IV - environmental and microbial relationships. Springer Verlag.

Nash III TH (2008). Lichen Biology. Cambridge University Press.

Nash III TH et al. (2002, 2004, 2007) Lichen flora of the greater Sonoran Desert region (3 Vol). Arizona State University.

Schimdt O (2006) Wood and tree fungi: biology, damage, protection, and use. Springer Verlag.

Schwarze WMR, Engels J, Mattheck C (2000) Fungal strategies of wood decay in trees. Springer Verlag.

Shukla V, Upreti DK, Bajpai R (2014) Lichens to biomonitor the environment. Springer Verlag.

Smith SE, Read DJ (2008) Mycorrhizal symbiosis. Elsevier Ltd.

Stephenson SL (2010) The Kingodom fungi - the biology of mushrooms, molds and lichens. Timber Press.

Tedersoo L (2017) Biogeography of Mycorrhizal Symbiosis. Springer.

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