Mycology: Products and training

Products | Training | Books 

• Screensaver
  A screensaver commemorating PREM’s centenary in 2005, containing beautiful pictures of fungi is available on CD on request.
  
   
  

• Manuals
  A manual on the collection, processing and preservation of fungi is available on CD on request.  The full reference of the manual is:
  Baxter, A.P. & Van der Linde, E.J. (Eds.) 1997. Collecting and preserving fungi. Manual for a SAFRINET (BIOnet) course in mycology. Sponsored by SDC, Switzerland. 86 pp.

Course manuals are only available when attending the specific course and include:

o Introductory mycology course
o Fungal taxonomy course
o Fusarium identification course
o Basic molecular course

1. Introductory mycology course (August - September 2010)
   This two-day course is aimed at anybody working in a fungal diagnostics environment including technicians and researchers in plant pathology and microbiology. Contents of the course include basic principles of working with the fungi, i.e. collecting and processing of samples, media preparation, isolation of fungi, growth in culture and recommended media to use, preservation of cultures, as well as microscopy techniques. It conveniently precedes the Fungal Taxonomy Course for those interested in attending both courses, which is strongly recommended if you would like to attend the latter.

2. Fungal taxonomy course (August - September 2010)
   The three-day Fungal taxonomy course deals with the basic principles of morphology and taxonomy of the fungi including Kingdoms, use of identification keys, and main features of the different groups including Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, Zygomycota, Oomycota and Fungi Imperfecti. There will be ample time spent on practical sessions during which you will be assisted with the morphology, fungal structures and identification of various fungal cultures (provided). It is conveniently preceded by the Introductory mycology course for those interested in attending both, and is strongly recommended if you would like to attend this one. This course is also aimed at anybody working in a fungal diagnostics environment.

3. Fusarium identification course (May 2010)
   Courses will in future be commodity-based (e.g. vegetables, grains etc.) and this round will deal specifically with Fusarium species occurring on grains. It entails the identification of Fusarium species using morphological characters. Phylogenetics principles in Fusarium will also be discussed. Attendants will have ample opportunity to study their own cultures during practical sessions, as well as cultures provided. Course duration is three days.

4. Basic molecular course (October 2010)
   This four-day course serves as a basic introduction to the methods and materials used in molecular biology and phylogenetic research. It includes discussions on eukaryotic cell structure, genetic information, molecular markers, recombinant DNA techniques, biodiversity indicators, evolutionary change and DNA Barcoding. It is intended to address the topics as universally as possible, ensuring that any biologist, independent of their discipline, will find the contents useful.

1. Baxter, A.P. & Van der Linde, E.J. (Eds.) 1997. Collecting and preserving fungi. Manual for a SAFRINET (BIOnet) course in mycology. Sponsored by SDC, Switzerland. 86 pp.

2. Staff of the National Collection of Fungi, Pretoria. 1994. Elementary keys to common fungi in South Africa. Plant Protection Research Institute Handbook No. 2. ISBN 0-620-17150-2.

Contact person:  Dr. Elna van der Linde