Fig. 1.

Biochemical, ecological, and structural properties of filamentous fungi. Filamentous fungi drive carbon cycling in terrestrial systems - saprotrophic fungi secrete primary metabolites to decompose organic litters, while mycorrhizal fungi associate with plant roots to store fixed carbon into recalcitrant biomass. Their root-like structure, called mycelium, forms a network of branching, thread-like hyphae that are important crosswalks of interkingdom interactions. These biochemical and ecological roles can be exploited for bioproduction of primary and secondary metabolites, bioremediation of organic contaminants, and carbon sink.