Our Ohio Mushroom DNA Sequencing Initiative
What is DNA sequencing?
DNA Sequencing is the process in which the order of nucleotides of DNA are determined. There are four nucleotides that make up DNA; adenine, cytosine, guanine, and thymine. Essentially, we end up with a long code of A’s, T’s, C’s, and G’s. This code or sequence is then searched in a database called BLAST.
What does it mean to sequence a mushroom?
Sequencing a mushroom is taking a dried mushroom and breaking
off a small piece the size of the smallest “crumb” with a pair of
tweezers. Then place that tiny mushroom sample into a 0.2ML tube. DNA
sequencing can be accomplished with tools, chemicals, and machines
after you add mushroom samples to the tubes.
In 2021 I found a new Psilocybe species near Loveland, Ohio. I
photographed and documented the mushroom on iNaturalist and Mushroom
Observer. I contacted Alan Rockefeller, the leading expert in the genus Psilocybe
in the USA and a renowned mycologist, and shipped a sample to him in
Oakland, California. The results interested me so much I decided to study and talk to as many people as possible about DNA sequencing.
Since September 2022, I have been working hard with plenty of successes and failures. I started to sequence my collections from old growth forests and other forests that I collect from in Ohio. I have attended classes in Indiana by Stephen Russell, a mycologist in Indian and the founder and president of the Hoosier Mushroom Society, and in California by Alan Rockefeller. My goal is to get get all of the hands-on DNA experience I can. I have been building relationships with mushroom folks across the state and even country that collect for my sequencing passion and more.
Why sequence mushrooms?
Scientists and citizens alike are not nearly close to describing all the species on earth, in fact, new discoveries and species are being found all the time. We are still trying to
understand and develop the taxonomy in the 5th kingdom Fungi. With DNA
sequencing a lot of discoveries are being made and genetic diversity is being recorded.
Most mushrooms species were described in Europe and that data and information was carried over to North America. Species then started to be described here in the early 1800s. . At this time technology was limited so handling and journaling about and describing the species was the only option and was limiting. Morphology plays a huge part in the confusion and mistakes in taxonomy- therefore we have an exciting task at hand in looking at the mushrooms all around us and identifying them correctly!
Please follow and support the Ohio Mushroom DNA Sequencing Initiative and contact me, Kyle at kyle@loveourland.org for any additional info!
