A popular video-game-turned-television-series, 鈥淭he Last of Us鈥 features a fungi that infects humans and leads to an apocalyptic scenario. The Dallas Morning News recently posed the question, 鈥淐ould that really happen?鈥 and turned to Floyd Wormley, associate provost for research, for the answer.
He quickly put readers at ease, explaining that few fungi can survive in our bodies.
鈥淚t鈥檚 too hot in the kitchen,鈥 Wormley said. 鈥淪o they cannot handle it.鈥
He goes on to share details about how various fungi react, the differences between fungi and viruses and more. He also explains that, despite the lack of realism, it is good for these topics to gain exposure in popular culture.
鈥淚 think that people are now looking at fungal infections 鈥 in a new light,鈥 he said, 鈥渁nd hopefully that will promote funding in the area of vaccines, antimicrobials and new research.鈥
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