Establishing the Laboratory for Mycology represents an effort to comprise research in the field of mycology conducted at the Chair of Microbiology, Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Sciences in Novi Sad. Laboratory members include Associate Professor, Assistant, Research Assistant, Research Associates as well as doctoral and master students of Biology and other students who are interested in this research field, primarily members of the Scientific Research Society of Biology Students. The founders of the ProFungi Laboratory are researchers with a long-lasting experience in various fields of mycology:
Biology and ecology of fungi
Diversity and protection of fungi
Bioactive metabolites from fungi
Medicinal fungi
Fungi in cultural heritage
Mycomonitoring and mycoremediation
Molecular identification of fungi
Population genetics
Phylogeny of fungi
Commercial cultivation of fungi
A joint research agenda of the members of the ProFungi Laboratory is further enhancement of the research in terms of diverse fields of mycology and intensifying collaboration with various institutions and organizations in the region (institutes, faculties, laboratories, private companies and business entities, protected area management facilities), as well as global universities (Italy, Slovenia, Austria, Poland, the Czech Republic, etc.) The Laboratory is involved in planning the management and participation in local and international projects, which would contribute to the more intensive development of the Laboratory, the Department and the Faculty of Sciences in general.
Furthermore, one of the important objectives of the Laboratory for Mycology ProFungi is maintenance and development of the existing fungi culture which currently comprises 129 autochthonous fungal isolates belonging to two different phyla (Basidiomycota and Ascomycota) and about 70 isolates of molds (Deuteromycota).
Within the Herbarium BUNS, the Department of Biology and Ecology, there is a separate depot of the Laboratory for Mycology with about 340 exicates of macrofungi which require additional preservation treatment.
Bialystok University of Poland, Bialystok University of Technology, Politechnika Bialostocka, Faculty of Forestry in Hajnowka – Prof. Ewa Zapora and Marek Wolkowicky
centrifuges (Eppendorf 5810 R and 5424 R, Germany)
refrigerators and freezers
-70°C freezer
mill for grinding samples (IKA, Germany)
equipment for molecular-biological analysis (horizontal and vertical electrophoresis system
gel documentation system and thermal cycler, Biometra)
Services
In addition to research activities, Laboratory ProFungi has been established to offer services related to the field of mycology with a price list of services:
Identifying fungi species or confirming the identification of macrofungi (mushrooms and others) and microfungi (molds) based on classic macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of the fertile bodies or cultural characteristics, including rare and endangered species of fungi
Identifying fungi species by using molecular methods – ITS region sequencing (DNA isolation, PCR, sequencing, identification)
Monitoring macrofungi in forest and other ecosystems within the territory of protected natural heritage areas in the territory of Serbia and in the wider region of the Balkans
Estimating the conditions in the mycopopulation of a certain area based on the long-term research and creating database to establish the status of the species with a particular emphasis on rare and endangered fungi species
Antimicrobial activity – especially antifungal activity of various natural products (extracts, isolated compounds and pure substances) or microorganisms (bacteria, algae, fungi) on the fungi (yeasts, molds, mycelia) including pathogenic strains (phytopathogens or human pathogens) with standard procedures
Preparing extracts and tinctures of fungi with biological activity based on relevant scientific procedures
Spectrophotometric methods of identifying antioxidant activity and the content of primary biomolecules in fungi (phenols, polysaccharides and beta-glucan)
Assessment of biotechnological processes in growing certain species of fungi in growth media and liquid cultures – consulting services
Isolating mycelia from fertile bodies of fungi and inactivation of pure fungal cultures
References (a selection)
Karaman M, Vesic M, Stahl M, Novakovic M, Janjic Lj, Matavuly M. 2012. Bioactive Properties of Wild-Growing Mushroom Species Ganorderma applanatum (Pers.) Pat. from Fruska Gora Forest (Serbia). In: Recent Progress in Medicinal Plants. Vol. 32: Ethnomedicine and Therapeutic Validation, Govil J.N. (editor), Studium Press LCC, pp. 361-377. 10. M13
Karaman M, Novakovic M, Matavuly M. 2012. Fundamental fungal strategies in restoration of natural environment. In: Fungi: Types, environmental impact and role in disease, Vazquez M.S.A., Silva A.P. (eds), Nova Science Publishers, Inc., pp. 167-214. M14
Pejin B, Karaman M. 2017. Antitumour natural products from marine-derived fungi. In: Reference Series in Phytochemistry: Fungal Metabolites, Springer Publishing Inc., Switzerland, ISBN: 978-3-319-19456-1, pp. 1-28. M14
Lenzi Monia, Cocchi Veronica, Novaković Aleksandra, Karaman Maja, Sakač Marijana, Mandić Anamarija, Pojić Milica, Barbalace Maria Cristina, Angeloni Cristina, Hrelia Patrizia, Malaguti Marco, Hrelia Silvana. 2018. Meripilus giganteus ethanolic extract exhibits pro-apoptotic and anti-proliferative effects in leukemic cell lines. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine 18:300. M21a
Vranes M, Tot A, Jovanovic-Santa S, Karaman M, Dozic S, Tesanovic K, Kojic V, Gadzuric S. 2016. Toxicity reduction of imidazolium-based ionic liquids by the oxygenation of the alkyl substituent. RSC ADVANCES, vol. 6 br. 98, str. 96289-96295. M21
Rakić M, Karaman M, Forkapić S, Hansman J, Kebert M, Bikit K, Mrdja D. 2014. Radionuclides in some edible and medicinal macrofungal species from a Tara Mountain, Serbia. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 21(19):11283-11292. DOI: 10.1007/s11356-014. M21
Janjušević, Lj., Karaman , M., Šibul, F., Tommonaro, G., Iodice , C., Jakovljević, D., Pejin, B. 2017. The lignicolous fungus Trametes versicolor (L.) Lloyd (1920): A promising natural source of antiradical and AChE inhibitory agents. Journal of Enzyme Inhibition and Medicinal Chemistry, 32 (1), pp. 355-362. M21
Žižić M, Zakrzewska J, Tešanović K, Bošković E, Nešović M, Karaman M. 2018. Effects of vanadate on the mycelium of edible fungus Coprinus comatus, Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology, Vol 50, 320-326. M22
Čapelja E, Stević N, Galović V, Novaković M, Karaman M. 2014. rDNA based analysis of autochthonous fungal species from Serbia. Genetika. 46:33–42. M23
Stević N, Čapelja E, Galović V, Novaković M, Karaman M. 2014. Molecular characterization of some lignicolous species from fungal culture collection. Genetika. 46:235–242. M23
Bošković E, Karaman M, Galović V. 2017. Spatial distribution of genets in population of saprotrophic fungi Marasmius rotula on Mt. Stara planina. Matica Srpska Proceedings for Natural Sciences. 133:143–150. M51
Novaković M, Karaman M, Radnović D, Radišić P, Šikoparija B. 2013. Monitoring of fungal spores in the indoor air of preschool institution facilities in Novi Sad. Matica Srpska Proceedings for Natural Sciences, No. 124, pp. 297-306. M51
Karaman M, Novaković M, Savić D, Matavulj M. 2012. Preliminary checklist of Myxomycota and Ascomycota from Fruska Gora Mountain. Matica Srpska Proceedings for Natural Sciences, No. 123, pp. 37-50. M51
Savić D, Grbić G, Bošković E, Hänggi A. 2016. First records of fungi pathogenic on spiders for the Republic of Serbia. Arachnol Mitteilungen. 52:31–34. M53
Projects
Bio-sensing Technologies and Global System for Continuous Research and Integrated Ecosystem Management, III43002, (2010-2015/2016/2018/2019), financed by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia (project cycle: 2011-2019)
Fungi Database Creation as a Basis for Preserving their Biodiversity, Provincial Secretariat for Science and Technological Development, project leader: dr Maja Karaman (2013- 2014)
Biologically Active Natural Products as Potential Sources of New Drugs and Dietary Supplements (2011-2015/2016/2018/2019), OI 172058, financed by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia (project cycle: 2011-2019), project leader: dr Neda Mimica-Dukić
Molecular and Phenotypic Diversity of Taxa of Economical and Epidemiological Importance, and Endangered and Endemic Species in Europe, Provincial Secretariat for Science and Technological Development, project leader: dr Jasmina Ludoški, (2011-2014)
Novel Antimicrobial Agents in Pathogenic Control – IPA project HUSRB 1203/214/250 (2012-2013)
Chemical Characterisation and Biological Activity of Secondary Biomolecules of Plants and Fungi and their Interactions with Xenobiotics, OI financed by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia (project cycle: 2005-2010)
Fungi as Sources of Bioactive Compounds (2005-2007), a bilateral project of the Ministry of Science and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Slovenia
Monitoring Biodiversity of Protected National Natural Regions, financed by the Ministry of Science and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia (project cycle: 2004-2005) project leader: dr Smiljka Šimić
Prizes and Awards
2007. – 1st Award for poster presentation on “IMMC4” – 4. International Medicinal Mushroom Conference, Ljubljana, Slovenia
2000. – 3rd award for poster presentation on Fifth International Symposium and Exhibition on Environmental Contamination in Eastern and Central Europe, September 12-14, Prague, Czech Republic
Biology and ecology of fungi
