DSMZ possesses rare expertise in yeast ecology and systematics.

Yeasts represent a unique form of fungi that propagate primarily through budding. While many yeasts exist predominantly as unicellular organisms, some can transition to filamentous growth typical of other fungi. Widely recognized as essential agents in wine and beer fermentation, yeasts also play crucial roles in industrial applications. They serve as producers of organic acids, enzymes, proteins, lipids, and pigments. Beyond the few biotechnologically significant species and model organisms, such as the baker’s yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, most yeast species thrive in natural habitats.

Recent advances in yeast systematics aim to harmonize the taxonomy of filamentous and yeast-like fungi. To achieve this, a comprehensive phylogenetic classification framework has been proposed. This framework updates the classification of yeasts and closely related filamentous taxa while considering the "One Fungus = One Name" principle.

The research within the Fungi and Fungal Systematics working group is focused on three major areas:

1. Interactions of Yeasts with Pollinator Insects: This line of research explores nectar yeast communities and the presence of yeasts in the primary food sources of honeybees, in collaboration with the Institute for Bee Protection, Julius Kühn-Institute (JKI) - Federal Research Center for Cultivated Plants.
2. Diversity and Systematics of Dimorphic Basidiomycetes: Research on the diversity and systematics of mycoparasites and dimorphic fungi on lichens has led to the discovery of new species and genera in the classes Microbotryomycetes and Cystobasidiomycetes. Future research will also focus on Tremellomycetes.
3. Diversity and Evolution of Cryptococcus Species: This research investigates the evolution of human pathogenic species within the Cryptococcus neoformans species complex, as well as its non-pathogenic relatives, aiming to uncover virulence mechanisms and evolutionary patterns in these yeast-like fungi.