Oscillatory Mycelium - Overview
1. Oscillatory Growth:
- Hyphae, the thread-like filaments of fungi, don't grow at a constant rate. Instead, they exhibit oscillations in growth speed.
- These oscillations are thought to be related to changes in the hyphal tip, including the fusion of vesicles with the plasma membrane and dynamic changes in the cell wall's mechanical properties.
- These oscillations in growth are linked to fluctuations in turgor pressure, which is the pressure within the hyphal cell.
- Research has even shown that these growth oscillations can be synchronized between hyphae, preparing them for fusion, according to eLife.
2. Oscillatory Electrical Potential:
- Fungal mycelia can exhibit spontaneous electrical low-frequency oscillations (SELFOs).
- These oscillations have been detected throughout the mycelial network and may serve as a form of communication.
- One study even recorded a week-long electrical oscillation in the mycelium of a wood decay fungus, according to Tohoku University.
3. Oscillatory Pattern Formation:
- Some studies have shown that oscillations can contribute to the formation of patterns within the mycelial network.
- For example, the growth of mycelium on a substrate can lead to the emergence of spatially organized oscillatory domains.
4. Significance:
Understanding oscillatory mycelium can provide insights into how fungal mycelia communicate, coordinate growth, and respond to environmental stimuli.
It can also have implications for our understanding of fungal development, disease, and the use of mycelium in biotechnology.
Links:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29229585/
https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsif.2024.0574
https://sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0303264723001089
https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10628662