Research topics are the processes used by filamentous fungi to degrade plant biomass with a focus on lignocellulosic substrates such as wood. These are particularly of interest for the development of novel biorefinery concepts - e.g. from side or waste streams derived from forestry, but also from the food and agriculture sectors. Central questions are how fungi perceive the composition of the plant cell walls on a molecular level, and adapt their metabolism accordingly to effectively degrade the substrate(s). These are elucidated using state-of-the-art methods in biochemistry and genetics. In an additional research focus we are elucidating how we can use the mycelium of wood-degrading fungi for upcycling of lignocellulosics into biobased composite materials. Check out or reseach page for more information!
The Fungal Biotechnology group in the News
- Meat meets mushroom - a GFI-Interview about fungal mycelium as “scaffolds” for cultivated meat cells with Philipp, Yasmina & Felix
- Interview zum Wiederaufforstungsprojekt RESTORE mit dem BMBF
- ANTENNE BAYERN-Moderatorin Kathie Kleff im Gespräch mit Prof. J. Philipp Benz im „GET HAPPY!“ Podcast: Fantastische Pilze
- Forschung aus der Professur bei DokThema: Superhelden Pilze (BR DokThema)
- Ohne Pilzbiotechnologie keine zirkuläre Bioökonomie (BMBF Wissenschaftsjahr 2020/21)
- Wenn aus Pilzen Zukunft wird
- Pilze als Medizin? Warum Pilze wichtig für die Entwicklung von Antibiotika sind (ARD Alpha Campus Talks)
- New studies of the nutritional preferences of fungi provide a whole "buffet" of findings
- Ambrosia beetles nurture their gardens of fungus with alcohol (Science News)
- Why some beetles fly on alcohol
- The high diversity of fungal volatilomes