Mycosium: sporulating knowledge. Why fungi?

Guido Silvano ¹, Laura Chiesa ², Beatrice Clementi ¹, Barbara D'Albis ¹, Danilo Di Francesco ³, Arianna Ferrara ⁴, Francesca Giattino ¹, Tommaso Martellini ¹, Elena Radelli ⁵, Edoardo Ricci; Alessandra Ronco; Clizia Sarni; Simone Subacchi; Jacopo Vujovic ⁶

Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences - BIGEA, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy ¹, Civil, Chemical, Environmental and Materials Engineering - DICAM, AMBIENTALE E DEI MATERIALI - DICAM, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy ², Centre for Agriculture Food Environment (C3A), University of Trento, Trento, Italy ³, BIOME Lab, Department of Biological, Geological and EnvironmentalSciences, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy ⁴, Pharmacy and Biotechnology - FABIT, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy ⁵, Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences - BIGEA, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy; Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences - BIGEA, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy; Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences - BIGEA, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy; WG Klatt Microcosmos Earth Center, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology (MPI-TM) and the Philipps University of Marburg; Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy ⁶

Fungi represent some of the most remarkable examples of evolutionary adaptation within the eukaryotic domain. Life on Earth would be fundamentally different without the Kingdom Fungi, which plays a pivotal role in global biogeochemistry by recycling carbon and mobilizing essential nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus. Moreover, fungi form intricate symbiotic relationships across all biological kingdoms, including humans, where they influence health, food systems, biotechnology, and medicine, underscoring their far-reaching impact. Despite these critical functions, fungi were only formally recognized as a distinct kingdom in the latter half of the 20th century. In the Italian academic context, mycology remains an underrepresented field, with few dedicated courses, limited research opportunities, and a scarcity of specialized academic chairs. To address these shortcomings, Mycosium was established as a project dedicated to raising awareness and fostering engagement within both the academic community and the broader public. The initiative has spearheaded a range of impactful activities, beginning with its inaugural symposium—a two-day event hosted by the University of Bologna that featured leading researchers from Italy and abroad. Building on this momentum, Mycosium has supported the introduction of a mycology course at the University of Bologna, established partnerships with cultural institutions such as MUSE, and played a central role in organizing Mico Cosmo Festival, Italy’s first mycology-focused festival. These efforts have helped cultivate a dynamic network aimed at promoting fungal studies and fostering a deeper understanding of the essential roles fungi play in ecosystems and human systems. The overarching goal of Mycosium is to bridge the gaps in academic and public engagement with fungi. By exploring how fungi interact with their environments and other organisms, the initiative seeks to inspire a greater appreciation of their complexity and ecological importance. This approach also encourages broader reflections on interdependence and symbiosis, offering valuable insights into human interactions and societal structures.

Main author career stage: Master student

Contribution type: Poster

First choice session: 6. Plants, Fungi and Society

Second choice session: 1. Systematics, phylogenetics, biogeography and evolution