Course

Unit 1

General characteristics of fungi: Introduction, Dimorphism, Growth- Apical Growth Fungi, Importance of fungi in Human life, Ecological interaction- Mycorrhiza, Lichens, interaction with insects, practical uses of fungi. 

Unit 2

Systemic classification: Introduction, Reproduction and Life cycle of Micro and Macro fungi- Chytridiomycota, Glomeromycota, Zygomycota, Ascomycota and Basidiomycota. 

Unit 3

Saccharomyces cerevisiae: Introduction on yeast, Characteristic features of S. cerevisiae, Important as a Model organism in recombinant DNA technology and other fields of application. 

Unit 4

Mushrooms: Introduction, medical relevance of mushrooms, Mycotoxins and Mushroom poisoning, Cultivation of different types of edible mushrooms. 

Unit 5

Medical mycology: Culture methods fungi, Diagnosis. Mycoses- Superficial, Cutaneous, sub cutaneous, Opportunistic Systemic infection, Dimorphic systemic infection Host responses to fungal infection and Immunity, Antifungal agents 

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: 

This course is to understand the basic knowledge about the fungal kingdom, identification of edible and toad stools. Equip students to know importance of fungi and the systematic classification. Gives a thorough understanding of common diseases caused by different types of fungi, identification, treatment etc 

COURSE OUTCOMES:

After completing the course, students shall be able to

CO1. Describe the morphology, physiology, classification and function of unicellular and multicellular fungi and gain knowledge to identify and relate the fungi that they see around.

CO2. Summarise the importance of Mycology and its impact on environment and society.

CO3. Understand the importance of fungi in fermentation, pharmaceutical industry, enzyme production, organic acids, bio remedial compounds etc

CO4. Gain ability to distinguish the fungal diseases in different classification and predict the disease from the understanding of symptoms.

REFERENCES:

2. Fungal Biology by J W Deacon, 4^th Edition, 2005.
3. Introductory mycology, Constantine J. Alexopoulos, Charles W. Mims, Meredith M. Blackwell, 4^th Edition, 2007.
4. Topley & Wilson’s Microbiology and Microbial Infections, Medical Mycology, Libero Ajello, Roderick J. Hay, Leslie Collier, Max Sussman, Volume 4, 9^th Edition, 2001.
5. Medical Mycology and Human Mycoses, Everett Smith, Ph.D. Beneke, Alvin Lee, Ph.D. Rogers, 1^st Edition, 1996.