Unlocking the Secrets of Fungi That Survive in Hypersaline Environments
Scientists have just made a fascinating discovery about how certain fungi are able to survive in extreme hypersaline environments. By studying the structure of certain species of filamentous fungi, scientists have uncovered the secret to their survival in environments with extremely high salt concentrations. The research has implications for understanding the limits of life in extreme environments, and could potentially be applied to biotechnology.
The study, published in Nature Communications, focuses on two species of filamentous fungi, Acremonium halotolerans and Acremonium strictum, that can survive in environments with salt concentrations up to ten times higher than that of seawater. To understand how these fungi were able to adapt to such extreme conditions, scientists used advanced imaging techniques to study the cell walls of the fungi. They found that the cell walls of the fungi were composed of a unique combination of highly hydrophobic molecules and proteins, allowing them to resist the high salt concentrations. This adaptation allows the fungi to tolerate the extreme conditions and even thrive in such environments.
source: Phys.org