Community fungal DNA workshop

The Lost and Found Fungi (LAFF) project have been travelling the country, teaching fungal enthusiasts DNA barcoding… With attention to detail, and a little luck, the protocols have been teaching allow you to read the DNA of the life around us.

In this particular case Brian and myself of Kew’s Esmée Fairbairn Foundation funded community project have been using the BentoLab to sequence DNA of fungi collected by local enthusiasts. This is a kingdom full of mimics and species complexes and of all known methods to identify them, the most conclusive is reading their DNA.

Brian is the Chief of the Lost and Found Fungi project and is more than able to share our protocols; from DNA 101 to the process of DNA barcoding and processing and analysing data.

The BentoLab is an all in one molecular lab: UV illuminator and electrophoresis tank, microcentrifuge, and DNA amplifier (left to right).

DNA barcoding can allow us to discriminate between most of the very similar fungal forms!

The crowd of fungal enthusiasts generally includes both hobbyists and professionals!

Participants take a peek at the results through a homemade darkbox.

The result shows strands of DNA have been isolated and amplified from the fungi collected by workshop participants.

The workshop provides time for all to become familiar with the tools and techniques, as well as time for questioning and discussion.

This workshop was held in Barnsley, UK.

DNA barcoding is a method which allows us to identify species accurately by comparing an organisms genetic code to a reference library of life. These libraries are constantly being added to, particularly in the megadiverse, yet understudied kingdom of Fungi.

This is particularly the case for microfungi – these microscopic lifeforms grow on our skin, in our guts, and on the life and minerals around us.

Many enthusiasts already have good knowledge of where to find fungi, many also have mircosopes – enabling the beauty of minute fungal structures to be revealed and allowing escape to this tiny, beautiful world. Some even have their own databased fungi collections! For a quarter of a century, however, we have had the ability to go one step further and view the most basic building blocks of life – DNA – using DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and DNA sequencing.

These steps are now possible to do in your home, with the BentoLab equipment (costing no more than a decent microscope (£1500)). Brian and I have been spreading the good fungal word; delivering workshops with the British Mycological Society (BMS) across the UK to show community groups the possibilities, and train them as molecular biologists.

We have worked hard to ensure the solutions, reagents, and buffers, required to break down tissues, expose and amplify DNA, are harmless – providing you take some minor precautions. It’s necessary to sterilise all equipment to prevent cross-contamination of DNA.

By 2020 LAFF will have engaged regional groups in England, Scotland, and Wales; teaching key community members how to use the BentoLab, supporting them with small grant applications, and leaving some budget for the final molecular step – DNA sequencing.