Model fungi: Engines of scientific insight

Fungal models have been used, for nearly a century, to answer fundamental questions relevant to the fungal kingdom and beyond and have also provided major contributions for the success of the general fungal research community. Cadres of scientists that study a model organism develop a strong ethos of sharing, derived from communal efforts which, in turn, also contribute to the education of future researchers. There is an increasing trend in preferred funding of research which is problem-driven in contrast to that which is just curiosity-driven. Securing resources for research that does not require practical deliverables is one way of circumventing the slow, unplanned, erosion of support for curiosity-driven fungal research. The role of model fungi as proven, long-term, powerful, engines of scientific insights should not be neglected or abandoned. Rather, they should be continuously celebrated.