Harnessing Plant-Invading Fungi for Fuel

Monica Kanojia (editor)

January 8, 2013

http://www.nsf.gov/discoveries/disc_summ.jsp?cntn_id=126518&org=NSF

Summary:  Endophytes live in plant tissues and they do not cause harm, sometimes there is a mutualistic relationship where the endophytes prevent the plant from a harmful bacteria. Endophytic fungi have proven to be a good source for energy. Scientists studied an endophyte known as Hypoxylon, and studied the volatile organic compounds that it produces and its antimicrobial activity and genetic makeup. The volatile organic compounds they produce can be used as fuel or a part of fuel.  The range of compounds Hypoxlon produces is important.  Different compounds have certain structures and some structures shows they can be used as fuel. Specific compounds in Hypoxlon are called monoterpenes and they are very successful fuels.  They would be more efficient and better for the environment than ethanol because monoterpenes can come from natural wastes. Also ethanol causes problems with engines and does not contain very much energy.  Scientists have talked about increasing the production of monoterpenes through bioengineering in the hope of finding a new energy source for fuel. 

Connection:  This article is related to what we have been learning about this term. It shows an example of a symbiotic relationship.  The relationship is between endophytes and plants.  It also involves fungi and how they can be useful to everyday life. Lastly, in the past we have talked about bioengineering and this an example of a real life situation in which scientists use this technology.

Microbes Team Up to Boost Plants' Stress Tolerance

Feb 17, 2013
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130217134321.htm

Summary:
Microbes can improve the hardiness of plants, which could lead to more sustainable agriculture, especially since global warming, city growth, and population growth put strain on sustainable agriculture. Marilyn Roossinck, professor of plant pathology and environmental microbiology and biology, and her colleagues found an example of plants and viruses working together to increase drought tolerance. Four different viruses and several different plants were tested. A common weed, lamb's quarter, was infected with a virus that caused a local infection, which actually boosted the plant's drought tolerance. In Yellowstone National Park, viruses and fungi collaborate to increase temperature hardiness. For example, tropical panic grass and fungi can grow together in temperatures above 125 degrees Fahrenheit, but die separated at the same heat levels. Similar to the fungi, a virus infecting a plant fungus made the plant resistant to increased heat. When the virus was cured from the plant fungus, the plant lost thermal tolerance; however, when the virus was reintroduced, the plant regained thermal tolerance. This research, and future research, may help the agricultural industry by developing hardier plants naturally, rather than relying on harmful chemicals.

Connection:
This article connects to our unit on microbes, because the article discusses plant fungi that help the plant grow. This means that the fungi is a mycorrhizal fungi, since it shares a symbiotic relationship with the plant. The article also connects to the Microbes unit because it shows how each partner needs the other, since the tropical panic grass and fungi together can resist heat, but separately will die.