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Study Reveals Fungi's Evolution in Blue Cheese After Proposal

10/11/2025

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Summary

Story summary

A study led by Benjamin Wolfe at Tufts University examined real-time evolution in fungi from Bayley Hazen Blue cheese after a marriage proposal at Jasper Hill Farm in Vermont.
Researchers observed a color change in cheese rinds from green to white due to a disruption in the ALB1 gene, which affects melanin production.
This phenomenon, termed “relaxed selection,” enables fungi to conserve energy.
The findings, published in Current Biology, may help prevent fungal infections and enhance food security.
Wolfe's team aims to develop new cheese varieties based on these insights.

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Story summary

A study led by Benjamin Wolfe at Tufts University examined real-time evolution in fungi from Bayley Hazen Blue cheese after a marriage proposal at Jasper Hill Farm in Vermont.
Researchers observed a color change in cheese rinds from green to white due to a disruption in the ALB1 gene, which affects melanin production.
This phenomenon, termed “relaxed selection,” enables fungi to conserve energy.
The findings, published in Current Biology, may help prevent fungal infections and enhance food security.
Wolfe's team aims to develop new cheese varieties based on these insights.