Today’s show is all about spalting fungi and its unique mycology. This time, we are joined by THE expert, Dr. Seri Robinson, who has been studying the phenomena for over a decade. Aside from spalting’s unique mycology, we discuss the auspicious applications of these fungi and their metabolites. Seri is an artist and Professor of wood anatomy at Oregon State University. They were introduced to spalted woods through wood working, quickly discovering the lack of information about the phenomena, and therefore pioneering a new subfield of science.Topics Covered:A look into Dr. Seri Robinson’s life as an artist and scientist, and their unconventional path to studying spalted woodsThe history and urban legends of spalted woodDefining spalted wood and spalting fungiSpecific environmental conditions for spalting fungiHow to spalt wood in the labEcology of fungal pigmentsFunction of fungal pigments, especially fungal melaninDecay stages of fungi and how that affects wood spaltingHow to extract the spalting pigmentChlorociboria’s pigments and it’s impressive applicationsWood anatomy and how fungi are influenced by their substrates Show notes:Spalting Cooperative Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/spaltingNorthern Spatling: https://www.northernspalting.com/Spalted Wood Book: https://www.amazon.com/Spalted-Wood-History-Science-Material/dp/0764350382/ref=pd_lpo_1?pd_rd_i=0764350382&psc=1Spalting 101 Book: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/spalting-101-dr-seri-c-robinson/1137088019?ean=9780764360893Publication on zone line mycology: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0264127521000332Xylindein pigment research: https://today.oregonstate.edu/news/fungi-produced-pigment-shows-promise-semiconductor-material