Services

Our Institute offers professional services in the areas of Mycology (fungi, molds, yeasts, etc) and Bacteriology (bacteria) using both classical and molecular techniques. In addition, we offer confocal microscopy analysis for different types of biological samples.

>Mycology Laboratory (Garnica Sigisfredo Lab)

Mycology is the field of research dedicated to the study and understanding of fungi in all their names, forms, and origins. This discipline currently has extensive and diverse potentialities both in nature and in many industrial processes.

The UACh Mycology Laboratory under the Institute of Biochemistry and Microbiology Faculty of Sciences will offer three services to the community and are as follows: isolation analysis and/or identification of fungi, phylogenetic analysis, and soil microbiology analysis.

Due to its geographical location, the Austral University of chile presents and offers a wide potential for the investigation of fungi in natural environments, since these grow in humid and dark places without any need for light. In natural environments, fungi are mainly found at certain times of year under specific conditions and their life span is generally very short.

Analysis of isolation and/or identification of fungi:

Our laboratory provides analysis and identification services for fungi (molds, yeasts, edible fungi, pathogens, etc) from a variety of samples and substrates. We also conduct environmental studies of mycological cadastres.

For the taxonomic identification of fungi, we use morphological and/or molecular analyses. Morphological analysis includes the direct examination through light microscopy, isolation in pure culture, and identification with the corresponding taxonomic keys. Molecular analysis includes DNA extraction, PCR, and sequencing. In most cases, the ITS (Internal Transcribed Spacer) region of the ribosomal DNA will be sequences. However, depending on the species or group of fungus in question, the sequencing of additional genes may be necessary.