Summary
Researchers are claiming that they have recently discovered a 2.7-million-year-old fungus. They found this community of fungi at the bottom of the ocean in 2.7-million-year-old mud. Genetic information is telling us that this fungi is not related to modern-day fungi which shows us that this fungus is "ancient and isolated". Not only can this discovery provide for some interesting research on the history of fungi, but it can surely provide antibiotics from the newly discovered fungi. Researchers have also took some RNA and figured out that these fungi are still active. Also, the fungi and the sediments had similar amounts of carbon. This led researchers to believe that they "contribute to [the] recycling [of] carbon in the seafloor".
Relevance to Class
Recently, in term 3, we learned about fungi. This article talks about the discovery of a 2.7-million-year-old fungus. Also, in term 2, we learned about antibiotics. This article mentions how this newly discovered fungus could be used as antibiotics. Lastly, back in term 1, we learned about different cycles, including the carbon cycle. This article even talks about how the fungus most likely helps recycle carbon.
Author of Article: Becky Oskin
Date of Publication: March 7, 2013
By Rachel Levine
Have the scientists classified this fungus?
ReplyDelete