b'Scientific Results of a Coarse-Based Undergraduate Experiment in MycologyLauren T. BraswellSponsor: Dr. Emily G. CantonwineA course-based undergraduate research experience (CURE) was performed at Valdosta State University in the 2018 and 2020 Biodiversity of Macrofungi course. The project entailed collecting fungal specimens to describe and share on crowd-source identification platforms, i.e. Mushroom Observer and iNaturalist, drying the specimens for storage in a Fungarium, and submitting fungal tissue for DNA barcoding. Over both semesters, roughly 148 macrofungal specimens were added to the VSC Fungarium and submitted for sequencing. Sequences were successfully retrieved for 70%. The scientific impacts of this CURE are as follows: there was a 100% increase in documented vouchered specimens (dried sporocarps attached to descriptions) in Lowndes County and surrounding counties, 15 unique barcoding sequences added to the GenBank database, and a handful of first species reports to the State of Georgia. By depositing information about vouchered specimens and DNA sequences into world-wide databases specializing in fungal diversity, VSU students are increasing evidence of fungal diversity in South Georgia and north Florida.Genome Sequencing of the Invasive Mussel Mytella CharruanaJuliannie A. Hoare and Precious A. MgbeahuruikeSponsor: Dr. Cristina CalestaniM. charruana is an invasive species from South America that reverse sex, from female to male, depending on nutritional resources. This is possibly an energy-saving mechanism. To date, the genome of M. charruana has not been sequenced. In this study, we first analyzed different tissues to discover which one provides the highest yield of DNA with the least amount of contaminants (proteins, polysaccharides, and DNA extraction reagents). DNA was extracted from mantle, foot, and gill tissues of a female M. charruana. The DNA was quantified using spectrophotometry and the quality was checked using electrophoresis. We obtained a good yield and quality of genomic DNA from mantle and gills, specifically 334.61 ng/mg and 141.96 ng/mg, respectively. The genomic DNA will be sequenced in the future using Nanopore Technology. The genomic sequence of this invasive mussel will be used as a reference to later study gene expression during the sex reversal process. This study will also benefit research on the population distribution of this mussel in their native and introduced environment, and phylogenetic analyses using molecular markers.15'