On Friday, the 29th of October 2017, the first Mycology Mini-Symposium was held at the University of Innsbruck, welcoming around 60 participants. Organized by members of the mycological filed of research at the Institute of Microbiology, the meeting aimed to show the broad spectrum of mycological research in Innsbruck which reaches from biological fundamental research to applied microbiology.
Ao. Prof. Wolfgang Burgstaller, who introduced the “Mykologie-Netzwerk Innsbruck” (now Mycology Tyrol) together with the already deceased Ao. Prof. Reinhold Pöder almost ten years ago, gave a brief overview on the history of Mycology in Innsbruck. The Institute for Microbiology in Innsbruck was founded in 1972 by appointment of the world-renowned Prof. Meinhard Moser and became internationally remarkable thanks to its extensive range of research areas. Two years ago, with the calling of Susanne Zeilinger-Migsich as Professor for Microbiology, the institute’s special feature was once again strengthened.
Up until now, Mycology is in main focus at Innsbruck’s universities, bringing together leading researchers from almost all of its subdomains. The therewith connected broadness of mycological research in Innsbruck was impressively shown by the participant’s contributions, compromising 16 talks and 25 posters presented by project collaborators.
Innsbruck’s mycologists are concerned with diagnosis and better comprehension of fungal diseases affecting humans, animals, plants and other fungi, with description of new species and with ecological features of fungi in forests and interiors. Next to that, strong focus is given on the development of medications applied in human medicine, such as screening for new active agents and treatment-options against fungal infections. Moreover, research deals with possibilities of biological control with parasitic fungi in agriculture and energetic exploitation of plant debris with the help of diverse fungi. Another topic, which of course does not fall short in almost all working groups, is genetics and physiology of fungi, their growth modalities and their ability to find and interact with hosts.
After the meeting, there was plenty of time for networking. The next meeting for Innsbruck’s mycologists is intended to take place next year at the Medical University of Innsbruck.
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Read more on UIBK.ac.at [german]