Mycology help

[deleted-73525]

I am looking for procedures to isolate fungi from lake samples. Can anyone help?

[deleted-71957]

Jonathon,

Here is a great link to a pdf. of a journal article published in 2010 that discusses fungi in lake ecosystems. http://www.int-res.com/articles/ame_oa/a059p125.pdf It contains information about methodologies used to perform systematic studies to advance knowledge in this topic area.

Here is additional one as well http://etd.ohiolink.edu/view.cgi/DElia% ... 65593[url][/url]. I would suggest that you try to find a mentor. In order to test the fungi water samples you will need to use specific chemicals that need to be used in a laboratory setting.

An ecologist that specializes in water quality would be a great person to contact. Ecologists have a tendency to be really helpful with high school research. Here is a link to how to find a mentor. https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... tors.shtml

I am not as experienced when it comes to environmental sciences, I am more of a psychology/neuroscience expert. I do know a lot about strawberries and fish but I don't think that is helpful in this situation .

Please let us know if you have any more questions. Another expert may be more knowledgeable in this field. Although, I do know someone that can answer your questions and I will email her and get a response for tomorrow. I am also really experienced with finding mentors, looking over research plans, and helping you dominate the science fair.

- Travis Sigafoos

[deleted-73525]

Dr. Sigafoos,

Thank you for the helpful advice. I will read the articles soon. Perhaps an ecologist would be the best mentor, but perhaps you would have another opinion if you knew more about my project. My project is a follow-up from a previous science fair. I found antibiotic resistant bacteria in a particular lake. Some isolates had multiple drug resistances. I am thinking that the resistance is due to antibiotics possibly originating from fungal species that live in the lake. I am contemplating isolating fungi from the lake and testing their secretions for antibiotic activity. The antibiotic test methods would be the same as I used before(Kirby-Bauer Disk Diffussion Test). I should see a positive result with non-resistant laboratory strains of bacteria. For those fungal isolates with antibiotics secretions, I plan to test the antibiotic on resistant lake isolates of bacteria. I should find resistance in the lake bacteria. I know how to do all of the work with bacteria and the Kirby-Bauer Test, but seek guidance for the isolation of fungi and the gathering of secretions. I have access to lab facilities. Having seen an outline of the project, do you still feel an ecologist would be the best mentor? A mentor would be very beneficial in my mind. Thank you.

Jonathan Zot

[deleted-71957]

Jonathon,

Your past research sounds interesting and you are very knowledgeable with your topic. As it may be hard to find a mycologist, I might suggest finding a microbiologist with environmental experience. I take back what I said about finding a mentor from an ecology department.

Especially since you would be working with harmful bacteria in a public setting. I suggest that you definitely gain appropriate approval and collaborate with a specialist. Maybe even email some leading mycologists from around the country to provide some minor assistance via email/phone.

I know that the University of Minnesota: Twin Cities has some great people that would love to communicate with you via email and provide as much assistance as they can offer.

Let us know if you have any more questions about your project or finding a mentor,
Travis Sigafoos