The microscopic development of a mycelium is of importance in all aspects of fungal biology and biotechnology. However, the mechanics of three-dimensional (3D) hyphal growth has been not explored. Using light-sheet fluorescence microscopy, we follow the 3D growth of Trichoderma atroviride in liquid medium and observe two direct collision events among hyphae. In both cases, a hypha undergoing tip extension collides with the side of another hypha, causing mechanical deformation that remains after the collision. From these data we estimate that the force developed by hyphae during tip elongation is at least 260 pN.

中文翻译：

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三维生长过程中菌丝之间的机械相互作用

菌丝体的微观发育在真菌生物学和生物技术的各个方面都很重要。然而，尚未探索三维 (3D) 菌丝生长的机制。使用光片荧光显微镜，我们跟踪了木霉在液体培养基中的 3D 生长，并观察了菌丝之间的两个直接碰撞事件。在这两种情况下，发生尖端延伸的菌丝与另一个菌丝的侧面碰撞，导致碰撞后仍然存在机械变形。根据这些数据，我们估计菌丝在尖端伸长过程中产生的力至少为 260 pN。