Sciences Colloquium - Stephan Seiler (Fungal Biology): Shaping the mold: cell polarity in filamentous fungi

Fungi are outstanding models for the analysis of fundamental mechanisms underlying growth and differentiation. They represent the second largest group of eukaryotic organisms on earth and are recognized for their importance in ecology, biotechnology and their role as plant and human pathogens. Fungal hyphae share, along with neurons and pollen tubes, the distinction of being amongst the most highly polarized cells known. Understanding this process has significant implications on our ability to intervene in this process by either inhibiting it in cases of detrimental fungi or enhancing it when beneficial growth is desired. This seminar will provide a brief overview for the non-mycologist about the kingdom of fungi and our current concepts how cellular signal networks regulate cell polarity, microbial communication and colony development.