Advancing Global AMF Biogeography and Diversity with Long-Read Sequencing and Open Tools 

PI: Dr. Camille S. Delavaux (Netherlands Institute of Ecology)

Co-PI: Dr. James D. Bever (University of Kansas)

Most plants rely on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) for access to limiting nutrients, underpinning terrestrial ecosystem health and resilience. Yet, scientists still struggle to identify the full diversity of these underground microbes and to map where they occur across the Earth. Our team will tackle this challenge using cutting-edge DNA sequencing and data science to build better tools for identifying AMF. This will result in openly accessible databases and software to empower researchers everywhere. Together, this work will enable a better understanding of AMF diversity and global distribution, key information for sustainable agriculture and ecosystem restoration.