RESEARCH

Fungal research at eye level.

For many current challenges, a fungus already exists that offers a potential solution. Working with companies and agricultural businesses, we develop natural, future-ready solutions.

* Time-lapse recording of Penicillium isariiforme.

Taken by Wim van Egmond, the master of photomicrography.

RESEARCH

Fungal research at eye level.

For many current challenges, a fungus already exists that offers a potential solution. Working with companies and agricultural businesses, we develop natural, future-ready solutions.

* Time-lapse recording of Penicillium isariiforme. Taken by Wim van Egmond, the master of photomicrography.

OUR EXPERTISE

Interdisciplinary.

An interdisciplinary approach is required to understand and specifically apply the extraordinary capabilities of fungi. Our team combines expertise in biology, mycology, biotechnology, genetics, molecular biology, analytics and botany to provide our customers with practical solutions.

Dr Wolfgang Hinterdobler

Scientific Director of MyPilz

Wolfgang is passionate about the fascinating world of fungi and how they interact with all the components of the ecosystems in which they live. His research focuses on fungal diversity, chemical communication, and the compounds that fungi produce. At MyPilz, Wolfgang contributes his expertise in the following specialist areas:

Mycology
Microbiology
Botany
Secondary metabolites
DNA sequencing
Identification and phylogeny
Natural isolates
Sexual and asexual reproduction
Signalling
Gene expression
Light regulation
Cultivation
Project management
Funding applications

Dr Miriam Schalamun

Head of Research & Development

Miriam is a biotechnologist specialising in innovative sequencing technologies and bioinformatic data analysis. Her scientific work has focused on cellular signalling in fungi and their interaction with the environment. At MyPilz, Miriam contributes her expertise in the following areas:

Molecular biology
DNA sequencing
Barcoding
Genetics
Bioinformatics
Gene expression
Signalling
Microbiome
Light regulation
DNA extraction
Nanopore sequencing
Cultivation
Project planning
Funding applications

Dr Valeria Ellena

Head of Biotechnology

Valeria is a biotechnologist and molecular biologist with a particular passion for fungi and their diverse applications. Her research projects have included the optimisation of fungal strains for citric acid production, the study of the sexual reproduction of Aspergillus niger as well as the development of special DNA molecules for the targeted recognition of fungal spores. At MyPilz, Valeria contributes her expertise in the following specialist areas:

Molecular biology
Genetics
Industrial fungal biotechnology
Cloning
Development of production strains
Random Mutagenesis
Whole-Cell SELEX
Protoplast transformation
Bioinformatics
Project planning
Funding applications
Study preparation

Dr Monika Schmoll

Scientific advisor

Monika works at the University of Vienna, at the Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science. Her research focuses on understanding the interactions of fungi with their environment, using functional genomics, metagenomics and metatranscriptomics. She is currently focusing on the importance of endofungal bacteria for their fungal hosts in the early stages of climate change. At MyPilz, Monika contributes her expertise as an external consultant in the following areas:

Biotechnology
Genetics
Microbiology
Strain development
Enzymes
Light regulation
Secondary metabolites
Signalling
Project management
Funding applications
PUBLICATIONS

Contributions to the scientific discourse.

We publish our research in scientific journals in cooperation with our partners and present it at specialist conferences and events. This makes our work transparent, comprehensible and effective in scientific discourse.

Publications by our scientists

Dr Wolfgang Hinterdobler
Dr Miriam Schalamum
Dr Valeria Ellena

Scientific publications from MyPilz

Steindorff, A.S., Cai, F.M., Ding, M., et al. 2026. Phenogenomics reveals the ecology and evolution of Trichoderma fungi for sustainable agriculture. Nature Microbiology.

Schalamun, M., Li G., Hinterdobler, W., Großkinsky, D., Compant, S., Dreux-Zigha, A., Schmoll, M. 2026. Plant recognition by Trichoderma harzianum elicits upregulation of a novel secondary metabolite cluster required for colonisation. Scientific Reports.

Rodler, C., Schinnerl, J., Schalamun, M., Hinterdobler, W., Brecker, L. 2024. Diosgenin and solasodine-based saponins and sapogenines - Effects of structural modifications on Panagrellus redivivus, Spodoptera littoralis and Trichoderma reesei. Results in Chemistry, 101994.

Schalamun, M., Hinterdobler, W., Schinnerl, J., Brecker, L., Schmoll, M. 2024. The transcription factor STE12 influences growth on several carbon sources and production of dehydroacetic acid (DHAA) in Trichoderma reesei. Scientific Reports, 14:9625.

Schalamun, M., Beier, S., Hinterdobler, W., Wanko, N., Schinnerl, J., Brecker, L., Engl, D.E., Schmoll, M. 2023. MAPkinases regulate secondary metabolism, sexual development and light dependent cellulase regulation in Trichoderma reesei. Scientific Reports, 13:1912.

Talks

Kleine Impulse, große Wirkung – Wie Pilze auf ihre Umgebung reagieren. Schalamun, M. Auditorium, Pilzfestspiele, Vienna, Austria, 06.-12.10.2025.

Pilze: Rohstoff für vielseitige Anwendungen in einer regionalen und biobasierten Kreislaufwirtschaft. Hinterdobler, W. Fungi Economy Day, Pilzfestspiele, Vienna, Austria, 06.-12.10.2025.

DNA Barcoding – Hintergründe, Methoden und moderne Anwendungen. Schalamun, M., Hinterdobler, W. Austrian Mycological Society, Austria, Online lecture, 27.03.2025.

Advances and Challenges of NGS Technologies. Schalamun, M. Westerdijk Spring Symposium „DNA Sequences as Type“. Utrecht, Netherlands, 2025.

Light dependent regulation of plant cell wall degradation and secondary metabolism via the HOG-pathway in Trichoderma reesei. Schalamun, M. 17th European Conference on Fungal Genetics, Dublin, Ireland, 2025.

Guerilla Mushrooming und DNA-Barcoding. Hinterdobler, W. Austrian Mycological Society, 14.03.2024, Online lecture.

Chance favours the prepared spore - how to jumpstart cellulase production. Hinterdobler, W. Fungal Genetics Conference, California, United States, 15.-20.03.2022.

Conference contributions

Hinterdobler, W., Spiegel, K., Schalamun, M., Schmoll, M. Sensing in the dating game: Assuming the male or female part in a cross is influenced by the GPCR GPR8. European Conference on Fungal Genetics, Innsbruck, 05.-08.03.2023.

Studies and guest contributions

Ellena, V., Hinterdobler, W. 2025. Pilze: Rohstoff für vielseitige Anwendungen in einer regionalen und biobasierten Kreislaufwirtschaft. Commissioned by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management.

Hinterdobler, W. 2023. Native recycling specialists. PermacultureMAGAZINE.

Hinterdobler, W. 2023. Die chemische Sprache der Pilze. Spektrum.de, SciLogs, KlarText Blog.