Mycology
Background
Mycology at Kew was established in 1879 based on the collections of the Rev. M.J. Berkeley and has been continuously developed since then to its current position as a key resource for mycological studies worldwide. Kew holds the National Reference Collections of Fungi, covering both UK and worldwide species, with an estimated 800,000 specimens, including 35,000 types, the most comprehensive collection in the world. Details of around 115,000 of these collections have now been entered into a database ‘Herbtrack’, established in 1995; in addition, the living (culture) collections are now fully databased and integrated with Herbtrack. Links to the UK, UK Overseas Territories and Wet Tropics science teams are integral. Whilst research within the Mycology team is focused largely on increasing knowledge of fungal diversity, contributions to both the Conservation and Sustainable Utilisation research programmes and incorporation of results from these programmes into the collection and databases are increasing.
Fungi have a long history of practical use, and associated research in other sections of the Jodrell Laboratory has concentrated on the chemistry and bioactivity of fungal extracts with potential applications in the pharmaceutical, agrochemical, and bioremediation business. Fungi are often very amenable to culture, and therefore well-suited for such sustainable utilisation. These projects are supported and facilitated by the Mycology Section. In 2004 an ecological mycorrhizal specialist was appointed as a lecturer (joint with Imperial College), and additional research has been undertaken on mycorrhizal relationships with living plants.
Overall, the objective of the Mycology team at Kew is to make the best possible use of traditional and innovative techniques to further our knowledge of the world’s mycota.