Phycomyces blakesleeanus might not be a household name, but in the world of mycology, this fungus is something of a star. Often used in introductory mycology courses, Phycomyces is known for being harmless, impressively large, and surprisingly responsive to its environment. It can sense light, touch, and even gravity, and under the right conditions in a lab, it gets down to some rather interesting reproductive activities. These fungi produce sporangiophores, hair-like structures that hold tiny spheres full of spores. But beyond the lab, can this fascinating fungus give a beloved pop culture icon a whole new look?
Inspired by the slow pace of academic blog updates, a quirky experiment was born: giving a Homer Simpson Chia Pet a “hairy” makeover using Phycomyces. Unlike Chia plants, which thrive on water and light, fungi need a bit more sustenance. The team prepared a nutrient-rich “lunch” for the fungus using potato dextrose broth thickened with agar. Dave Kalb carefully applied this warm agar mixture to Homer’s famously bald head, strategically coating the areas where they wanted fungal “hair” to grow, while avoiding his eyes and nose.
Next, the magic ingredient: fragments of agar teeming with actively growing Phycomyces blakesleeanus were gently placed onto the agar-covered Homer head. This inoculation process was repeated several times to ensure even coverage. Homer was then hydrated and placed under observation, and that’s when the real fun – and a few fungal faux pas – began.
The Trials and Tribulations of Hairy Homer
Re-hairing Homer wasn’t a simple task. In fact, it took six attempts to get it just right. The sight of “Hairy Homer” being transported around the lab became commonplace, his fungal locks swaying gently. Plant pathologists, after all, are rarely surprised by the unusual. The journey to a successful Hairy Homer was paved with learning experiences, documented in a humorous “bloopers” gallery.
One of the first hurdles was moisture control. Too little moisture, and the fungus would simply dry out and wither, resulting in a rather unhappy, hairless Homer.
Conversely, overwatering led to a different set of problems. Excess moisture caused Homer to drip and, even worse, encouraged the growth of unwanted mold, creating a rather unsightly moldy brow.
Lighting also proved to be a crucial factor. While Homer looked promising in one attempt, the team realized that improved lighting could enhance the visual documentation of the experiment.
Then there were the general “bad hair days” – or weeks – where the fungal growth was simply uneven or lackluster. Even with careful preparation, biological experiments can be unpredictable.
Perhaps the most frustrating setback was fungal warfare. A parasitic green mold, Trichoderma, decided to invade and devour the Phycomyces, leading to a complete re-do.
Finally, even when Phycomyces did grow, it sometimes produced less visually impressive microsporangia close to Homer’s scalp, rather than the more luxuriant growth they were hoping for.
Success and a Hairy Conclusion
Despite the numerous challenges, the team persevered. Countless hours of scrubbing, sterilizing, preparing growth media, and patiently monitoring Homer finally paid off. They successfully captured a time-lapse video of a flourishing Phycomyces “hairdo” on the Homer Simpson Chia Pet. While jokingly considering marketing a “Practically Instant Hair Growth Potion” (with a disclaimer about potential itchiness), the team celebrated their success and the relaunch of their revamped blog.
This quirky experiment, brought to you by Dave Kalb and photographer Kent Loeffler, with the help of Claire Smith and other Cornell “blog elves,” demonstrates the fascinating, and sometimes unpredictable, nature of mycology. You can explore more of their fungal time-lapse videos on the Cornell Plant Pathology Photo Lab YouTube channel, and perhaps even try your own fungal makeover project – though maybe start with something a little less iconic than Homer Simpson.
References
- Benjamin, C. R., and C. W. Hesseltine. 1959. Studies on the genus Phycomyces. Mycologia 51:751-771.
- Johnson, D.L. and R. I. Garnow. 1971. The Avoidance Response in Phycomyces. Journal of General Physiology 57: 1 41-49.
