The laboratory currently focuses on microbiology-related topics, encompassing the ecology, evolution, and applications of microorganisms. For the upcoming IIPP program under the NSTC application, the proposed experimental theme includes two key projects. Details are outlined in the following abstracts:

Project 1: Investigating Pathogen Transmission in Shiitake Mushrooms

Shiitake mushrooms (Lentinula edodes), the second most widely consumed mushroom globally, face significant challenges from spontaneous productivity losses, adversely impacting the agricultural sector. Despite various proposed causes—such as genetic degeneration, suboptimal culture conditions, climate change, and pathogenic infections—no single factor has been definitively identified as the root cause. This project aims to investigate the role of pathogens, particularly focusing on slime molds as potential carriers of these pathogens.

While insect carriers have been extensively studied, slime molds, which are ubiquitous in mushroom farms, remain largely overlooked in pathogen transmission research. The objectives of this study include identifying pathogens (bacteria, fungi, and mycoviruses) affecting shiitake mushrooms, assessing the seasonal diversity and prevalence of slime molds, and evaluating their potential role as pathogen vectors.

By examining the interactions between environmental factors, slime molds, and pathogen dynamics, this research will provide an ecological perspective on managing pathogen transmission. The findings aim to offer practical strategies for reducing productivity losses, benefiting farmers economically while ensuring a stable supply of this nutritious food. By pioneering the study of slime molds as pathogen carriers, this project could revolutionize pathogen management strategies in mushroom farming, contributing to global food security.

Project 2: Exploring Host-Microbe Interactions in Physarum polycephalum

This project investigates the intricate interactions between the slime mold Physarum polycephalum and its associated microbial communities, with the goal of elucidating co-evolutionary dynamics within this symbiotic system. The study will explore how microbial endosymbionts adapt to host influences—via resistance, escape, or exploitation—and how P. polycephalum manipulates these microbes to optimize mutualistic, commensalistic, or parasitic relationships.

By analyzing samples from diverse regions in Taiwan and worldwide, the research will identify the core microbiota of P. polycephalum, characterizing their ecological roles and their impact on host fitness. Microbiome analysis, genomic sequencing, and ecological assessments will be employed to investigate the physiological and genomic differences between symbiotic microbes in host environments and their free-living counterparts.

Additionally, the study will examine mechanisms of horizontal microbial transfer, host specificity, and potential inter-strain or inter-species exchanges. These findings will provide insights into the plasticity of microbial symbiosis and host-microbe co-adaptation in simple eukaryotic systems. The outcomes may have broader implications for microbial evolution and applications in biotechnology, medicine, and environmental science, including the discovery of novel bioactive compounds.