Ignacio Chapela
Assistant Professor, ESPM
334 Hilgard Hall
(510) 643-2452
ichapela@nature.berkeley.edu
http://www.CNR.Berkeley.EDU/chapelalab

Research Interests
With at least six fungal species for each species of plant in a given environment, fungi represent one of the major components of terrestrial ecosystems. Their biomass can outweigh that of any other component, and their roles range from the control of nutrient cycling (e.g. in the regulation of green-house gases), to their indispensable role as symbionts of practically all other forms of life. However, this vast world remains practically uncharted. My research delves into this realm to explore questions such as: Where are fungal individuals in nature? How do they relate to each other? How do they relate to other organisms, particularly plants and arthropods? Epic tales of battle, companionship and long-lasting relationships are common fare in this field.

In contrast with some other areas in biology, Mycology, the study of the fungal world, must still investigate case studies from first principles, developing each one into single "historietas" or "storylets", just as Nineteenth-Century naturalists did. However, modern techniques, and suitable concepts developed for other systems, make this process much faster, so that these "historietas" can become compatible with our quickly evolving understanding of life.

Understanding is not the only goal of this research. Fungi are possibly the most under-used biological resource available to promote a balanced, sustained human development that could counter current trends of species and habitat loss. In Mycology, therefore, research can be readily linked to social and economic needs, as in the cases of bioprospecting for novel armaceuticals and agrochemicals for human use, development of biocontrol agents, and the sustainable management of forests through understanding and use of their fungal components. I am involved in the research and development of these connections between the academic, industrial and civil worlds across international borders, particularly in Latin America.

Selected Publications
Palm, M.A, and Chapela, I.H. 1997. Mycology in Sustainable Development: Emergent Concepts, Vanishing Borders. Parkway Publishers, Boone, NC.

Chapela, I.H., Rehner, S.A., Schultz, T.R. & Mueller, U.G. 1994. Evolutionary history of the symbiosis between fungus-growing Ants and their Fungi. Science, 266(5191): 1691-1694.

Chapela, I.H. 1994. Bioprospecting in the information age: a critical analysis of pharmaceutical searches through biodiversity. In: J. Feinsilver (ed.) Emerging Connections: Biodiversity, Biotechnology and Sustainable Development. Panamerican Health Organization/Interamerican Institute for Cooperation in Agriculture. Washington, DC. In press.

Chapela, I.H. & Feinsilver, J. 1994. Conclusions. In: J. Feinsilver (ed.) Emerging Connections: Biodiversity, Biotechnology and Sustainable Development. Panamerican Health Organization/Interamerican Institute for Cooperation in Agriculture. Washington, DC. In press.

Stone, J.K., Viret, O., Petrini, O. and Chapela, I.H. 1994. Histological studies of host penetration and colonization by endophytic fungi. In: Host Wall Alterations by Parasitic Fungi (ed. by Orlando Petrini and Guillemond Ouellette). APS Press, St. Paul MN.

Dreyfuss, M.M. & Chapela, I.H. 1994. Fungi as producers of secondary metabolites. In V.P. Gullo (ed.) Discovery of natural products with therapeutic potential. In press.

Chapela, I.H., Petrini, O. & Hagmann, L.H. 1991. Monolignol glucosides as specific recognition messengers in fungus-plant symbioses. Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology 39:289-298.

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Environmental Sciences
University of California, Berkeley
260 Mulford Hall
Berkeley, CA 94720-3100
Phone: 510-643-9479
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email: es-help@nature.berkeley.edu

Modification Date: 10/02/2006