Ohio Mushroom DNA Sequencing Initiative- No Longer

Want to join us in making a difference? We're raising money to benefit our nonprofit's (Love Our Land) new initiative, the Ohio Mushroom DNA Sequencing Initiative, and any donation will help make an impact. There is also a gift for qualified contributions! (see below)

The Project

Analyze and sequence mushroom samples sent to our lab from members of Love Our Land, other organizations, and any individual interested in participating in mapping Ohio’s mushroom/fungal diversity. The Ohio Mushroom DNA Sequencing Initiative intends to document Ohio's fungal diversity properly, and we need YOUR help to accomplish this monumental feat. We’re asking people to document, collect, and send us mushrooms they encounter from all parts of the state. We are interested in wild mushrooms/fungi from any location in the state; just please make sure to follow all rules and regulations on collecting mushrooms in your area. Below is a brief description of WHY the Initiative is essential to the science and conservation of mushrooms and other fungi. Attached below (“How to Participate”) is the standard operating procedure all participants must adhere to regarding observation and collecting techniques used to document fungi properly.

Mycology

Mycology is the study of fungi, including mushrooms. Before 1969, fungi and mushrooms, in particular, were considered non-flowering plants. In 1969, Fungi was rightfully classified as its taxonomic kingdom. Even before 1969 and on, scientists, citizen researchers, naturalists, and enthusiasts have been interacting with species and taxonomically categorizing them. There are keys and guides with quality pictures that exist for all areas–some are online resources–all good sources for field-level identification. However, many species of fungi are “cryptic,” meaning they appear very similar to one another at a glance. A microscope and DNA equipment is the next level of identification for mycology, which brings us to this initiative.

Why study fungi?

Other than fungi being important to ecosystems and part of the food chain, they are also less understood than plants and animals, making countless opportunities for new discoveries. Morphology plays an integral role in species identification, but cryptic species are tough to differentiate without additional tools and equipment. DNA sequencing gives us a very accurate way of identifying species and has yielded exciting results giving us insight into how diverse this kingdom is. Mushrooms are beautiful in many ways and offer so much to the environment. Mushroom researchers are discovering new species at an incredible rate due to DNA sequencing and new methodologies. We are learning that so many “undescribed” species exist that were erroneously lumped together with another species because they looked nearly identical to a species named years ago. The Initiative has the potential to shed light on the numerous species of fungi left to discover right here in Ohio, including in our backyards.

What is DNA sequencing?

DNA sequencing or DNA barcoding is a method of identification using a small section of a sequence in a specific gene. For mushrooms, we mainly look at the ITS gene; however, different species require different gene areas to target, such as the LSU gene (e.g., Hygrocybe). With a combination of machines, chemicals, lab tools, and a computer, we can take a small sample from a mushroom and turn it into a DNA sequence–consisting of several hundred A’s, T’s, C’s, G’s–for identification.

How to Participate

First, and very importantly, all participants must make an iNaturalist observation of the fungus found to qualify for the Project. Taking a variety of photographs of a fungus is critically essential. We recommend including IN SITU (within the habitat where the fungus is initially observed) photographs of the fungus and several close-up shots of other fungus angles, including for mushrooms, the top and underside of the cap (link). Once a sufficient number of photographs are taken, collect the fungus and take it home to dry (link). The last step is to send a sample of your fungus to the designated address of Love Our Land. Next, you wait for the results. The iNaturalist observation is where we will post results and our social media. Again, the iNaturalist comment is a crucial step; without it, we will be unable to process the sample. Please click on the links above and familiarize yourself with these required procedures.

Fundraiser

Love Our Land is asking for the public's help procuring the necessary equipment to launch this critical initiative. We intend to purchase lab equipment and chemicals that cost more than our organization can currently afford. However, if we pool funds from the growing community of conservation-minded individuals in Ohio, it can be financially feasible to attain everything needed to implement the Project successfully. We ask that you donate anything you can to ensure the Project is operational in 2023. Right now, Love Our Land is equipped with everything necessary to run generation one sequencing on a small scale, but we are interested in new generation/third-generation sequencing technology. That is where fundraising is essential. The new technology is much more cost-effective than the previous technology, reducing cost per sample from $10-20 down to $1-2. The new technology will allow us to run multiple samples simultaneously, with a minimum of 960 samples. We intend to sequence 3,000+ samples from Ohio next year with the new technology. Those samples will come from citizens from all over the state that want to contribute to this exciting and revolutionizing initiative.

Anyone that donates $75 or above will receive a custom, limited-edition mushroom coffee cup. If you donate over $25, you will be entered to win one. (Special thanks to Loveland's Whistle Stop Clay Works for this very generous donation)

Thanks in advance for contributing to this cause which means so much to us.

Kyle, Doug, and Mike