Diego Bianchi, a PhD candidate at Trinity College Dublin, has launched Fungal Galaxies, a gallery showcasing the hidden beauty of agricultural fungi. This project blends science and art to highlight the vital yet invisible role fungi play in ecosystems, particularly in supporting plant growth and resilience.
Bianchi's research focuses on symbiotic fungi found in wild relatives of cereal crops, particularly barley. He isolates fungi to study their impact on plant growth and protection against pathogens like Ramularia collo-cygni. Early tests on fungal compounds show promise for creating biopesticides that reduce the need for synthetic chemicals in farming.
Bianchi's work has led to the discovery of hundreds of fungal species with diverse properties. While primarily focused on their scientific value, he also appreciates their aesthetic beauty, which is featured in the Fungal Galaxies collection. The fungi showcased include Ophiocordyceps sinensis, Beauveria bassiana, and Chaetomium species, all of which offer agricultural and ecological benefits.
With only 10-15% of fungi characterized so far, Bianchi hopes his project will inspire greater awareness of the importance of fungi in sustainability and conservation.
Discover more: https://www.fungalgalaxies.com