Biology subjects

Gandia, A.

Publications and source records attributed to Gandia, A..

5 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

Low-cost DIY bioreactor system for educational and research applications: an accessible off-the-shelf bubble column concept

The development of efficient, cost-effective bioreactor systems is pivotal in biotechnological processes involving the production of microbial products like pharmaceuticals, bio-fuels, and protein-rich biomass. Many bioreactor models are commercially available in all industries; however, prices are usually exorbitant, making them inaccessible to low-budget research, schools, and start-up companies. This article introduces a low-cost, DIY modular LSF bioreactor system intended to cultivate filamentous fungi and other microorganisms following a minimalist bubble column approach. Using standard sanitary tri-clamp (TC) fittings common in hygienic industries and household brewing setups, this assembly offers an affordable, adaptable, reparable, and robust solution for microbial production at a fraction of the cost of commercial alternatives. In addition, a wide range of budget-friendly sensors and controllers can be integrated to monitor and automate key parameters, making these bioreactors equally accessible and functional. This bubble column bioreactor concept is unique in its scalability and customization possibilities, significantly reducing research and prototyping costs.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2022

Electrical spiking of psilocybin fungi

Psilocybin fungi, aka "magic" mushrooms, are well known for inducing colourful and visionary states of mind. Such psychoactive properties and the ease of cultivating their basidiocarps within low-tech setups make psilocybin fungi promising pharmacological tools for mental health applications. Understanding of the intrinsic electrical patterns occurring during the mycelial growth can be utilised for better monitoring the physiological states and needs of these species. In this study we aimed to shed light on this matter by characterising the extra-cellular electrical potential of two popular species of psilocybin fungi: Psilo-cybe tampanensis and P. cubensis. As in previous experiments with other common edible mushrooms, the undisturbed fungi have shown to generate electric potential spikes and trains of spiking activity. This short analysis provides a proof of intrinsic electrical communication in psilocybin fungi, and further establishes these fungi as a valuable tool for studying fungal electro-physiology.

biophysics↗

bioRxiv2022

Fungal States of Minds

Fungal organisms can perceive the outer world in a way similar to what animals sense. Does that mean that they have full awareness of their environment and themselves? Is a fungus a conscious entity? In laboratory experiments we found that fungi produce patterns of electrical activity, similar to neurons. There are low and high frequency oscillations and convoys of spike trains. The neural-like electrical activity is yet another manifestation of the fungal intelligence. In this paper we discuss fungal cognitive capabilities and intelligence in evolutionary perspective, and question whether fungi are conscious and what does fungal consciousness mean, considering their exhibiting of complex behaviours, a wide spectrum of sensory abilities, learning, memory and decision making. We overview experimental evidences of consciousness found in fungi. Our conclusions allow us to give a positive answer to the important research questions of fungal cognition, intelligence and forms of consciousness.

animal behavior and cognition↗

bioRxiv2021

On electrical spiking of Ganoderma resinaceum

Fungi exhibit action-potential like spiking activity. Up to date most electrical activity of oyster fungi has been characterised in sufficient detail. It remains unclear if there are any patterns of electrical activity specific only for a certain set of species or if all fungi share the same language of electrical signalling. We use pairs of differential electrodes to record extracellular electrical activity of the antler-like sporocarps of the polypore fungus Ganoderma resinaceum. The patterns of the electrical activity are analysed in terms of frequency of spiking and parameters of the spikes. The indicators of the propagation of electrical activity are also highlighted.

biophysics↗

bioRxiv2021

Fungi anaesthesia

Electrical activity of fungus Pleurotus ostreatus is characterised by slow (hours) irregular waves of baseline potential drift and fast (minutes) action potential likes spikes of the electrical potential. An exposure of the mycelium colonised substrate to a chloroform vapour lead to several fold decrease of the baseline potential waves and increase of their duration. The chloroform vapour also causes either complete cessation of spiking activity or substantial reduction of the spiking frequency. Removal of the chloroform vapour from the growth containers leads to a gradual restoration of the mycelium electrical activity.

biophysics↗