A new study out of the University of Michigan has found that the notorious fungus, Aspergillus fumigatus, can adapt to changes in its environment in order to survive. A. fumigatus is known for causing serious respiratory illnesses in humans and animals, and is a major problem for the agricultural industry.

The study, which was published in the journal Genetics, revealed that when exposed to changing temperatures, A. fumigatus can quickly scramble its genetic code in order to survive. This process, known as epigenetic regulation, allows the fungus to adjust its gene expression and make the necessary changes to survive in the new conditions.

This research is especially important given the changing climate and the potential for increased levels of A. fumigatus in the environment. With this knowledge, we can better understand how the fungus will adapt to climate change and, hopefully, find ways to combat it.

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source: Phys.org