Fungi-on-a-chip: investigations on liquid transport within hyphal networks
File(s)
Author(s)
Clark, Amelia
Type
Thesis
Abstract
Macroscale studies have demonstrated that liquid can be transported across mycelial networks within soil, and liquid films surrounding hyphae can be used as a dispersal mechanism for motile bacteria. Understanding the mechanisms of liquid transport is of relevance for controlling pathogens, drought management and bioremediation. However, there is a lack of information about liquid transport at the cellular level. The microfluidic FFI device was previously developed for studying hyphae at cellular resolution and can operate without the need for liquid-filled microchannels. Utilising this device, this thesis aimed to produce a methodology to visualise and quantify the movement of liquid along hyphae. Additional aims were to test factors involved in hyphal liquid transport and incorporate the methodology to probe bacterial dispersal along fungal highways. Firstly, a method combining the use of the FFI device and a solidified fluorescein-containing growth medium for visualising and quantifying liquid transport along hyphae was developed. FFI device conditions were optimised to ensure liquid entry into microchannels was hyphal-driven. This method was then shown to be able to visualise liquid movement along Pythium ultimum hyphae over different time scales. Liquid films external to hyphae were quantifiable; their movement along hyphae was demonstrated to be highly dynamic and possibly linked to hyphal growth characteristics. Subsequently, the method was applied to several fungal species and species-specific differences were found in the amount of liquid surrounding hyphae. Finally, the methodology was exhibited to be compatible within another microfluidic device that was co-inoculated with mycelia and bacteria. Results revealed that bacterial dispersal along fungal highways occurred exclusively within liquid films transported by hyphae. Overall, findings presented in this thesis bridge critical research gaps in our understanding of hyphal liquid transport at the cellular level and provide a necessary foundation for future research.
Version
Open Access
Date Issued
2025-10-03
Date Awarded
2026-03-01
Copyright Statement
Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International Licence (CC BY-NC)
License URL
Advisor
Stanley, Claire
Sponsor
The Leverhulme Trust
Imperial College London
Grant Number
RPG-2020-352
Publisher Department
Department of Bioengineering
Publisher Institution
Imperial College London
Qualification Level
Doctoral
Qualification Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)