Diversity and Ecology of Aquatic and Airborne Fungi

Marine fungus, Ceriosporopsis halima (ascospore)

Airborne fungus, Alternaria sp. (conidia)

Of interest are freshwater foam spora and marine fungi of beaches and mangrove swamps. To date, more than 200 species of marine fungi have been documented in and around Singapore and southern Malaysia. Ecological studies conducted include fungal succession, fungal interactions and factors influencing their occurrence and distribution. The interest in airborne fungi is related to the allergenic potential of some species. The diversity and abundance of outdoor fungal airspora has been monitored over the last five years and tests on the allergenicity of a few species have yielded interesting results. The current study includes indoor fungal airspora.

Airborne fungus, Curvularia sp, (conidia)

Airborne fungus, Ulocladium sp. (conidia)

Plant Pathogenic and Symbiotic Fungi

These fungi are collected and studied in relation to our interest in fungal-plant interaction. Studies on plant pathogenic fungi focus on Colletotrichum spp. causing anthracnose, Pseudocercospora spp. causing leaf spots, Ganoderma sp. causing palm diseases and rusts of ornamental plants. Interest on symbiotic fungi is confined to Rhizoctonia spp. which form endomycorrhizal symbiosis with orchid roots.

Culture Collection

A small culture collection of fungal isolates is being maintained to support other research interests such as fungal enzymes and fungal by-products e.g. fungal chitosan.

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