Fungi: Architects of Ecosystems and Sustainable Futures

Fungi are an immensely diverse kingdom essential to life, acting as the primary decomposers in all ecosystems. They are ecologically vital as symbionts and pathogens, profoundly impacting plants and animals. Humanity's relationship with fungi spans history, using them for food and fermentation, and increasingly for advanced medicines and sustainable materials. This course surveys fungal biology, covering diversity, evolution, and core traits. The goal is to explore how applied fungal biology and modern trends--including materials science, nanotechnology, metabolic engineering, and alternative proteins--can benefit humanity and promote global sustainability.