Fungus research recognised

The University achieved a double success recently, with two prestigious awards from the British Mycological Society (BMS). The BMS was founded in 1896 and has over 2000 members from many countries around the world, reflecting its international status. Its sole objective is to promote the study of fungi (mycology) in all its aspects.

Professor Geoffrey Gadd, of the Division of Environmental and Applied Biology in the School of Life Sciences, has been awarded the position of President of the BMS - a prestigious post which is considered the ultimate accolade in mycology. Dr Fordyce Davidson, Senior Lecturer in the Division of Mathematics, received the prestigious Berkeley Award for his "outstanding original scientific contribution to mycology", which was presented in recognition of his groundbreaking work on the mathematical modelling of fungi.

Professor Gadd is a microbiologist who has built up an international reputation through his work on the responses of fungi, and other microorganisms, towards toxic metals. He investigates the processes by which toxic metals are accumulated and detoxified, as well as the mechanisms involved. The environmental significance of this work is considerable and continues to influence research into polluted soil and water, and the effects of fungi on rocks and minerals.

Professor Gadd said, "I am delighted to be honoured in this way by the British Mycological Society especially in view of the many eminent scientists who have held this post in the past.

It is perhaps little appreciated that fungi are our closest relatives in evolutionary terms meaning that they are important model organisms for research into problems affecting human health, while they have major environmental activities in organic matter decomposition, and plant and animal disease for example."

Dr Davidson said, "The study of fungi is a fascinating and vastly complex subject. Fungi are of vital importance to many living systems - for example, they play a central role in the nutrient recycling process in soils. Without them, crops, trees, grass etc. would simply not be able to survive.

Fungi are also being increasingly exploited in industry for breaking down pollutants into less harmful compounds and for the production of organic compounds such as citric acid."

The reason the award was given to a mathematician is that the growth patterns of many fungi are very complex. The dense structure of tiny interconnected tubes, called a mycelium, is very complex - so understanding their growth and function is a very difficult task. It is here that the power of mathematical modelling can assist the experimentalists.

Dr Davidson has worked closely with Professor Gadd, resulting in significant funding from the the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council and has led to Dr Davidson being made an Affiliate Member of the Division of Environmental and Applied Biology in 2002. Using mathematics has allowed the group at Dundee to make significant advances in the understanding of how certain fungi affect soil chemistry.

from left: Professor Geoff Gadd and Dr Fordyce Davidson.