Hidden Heroes: The Power of the Overlooked

Mouldy bread, inter-plant communication, Mario’s Super mushroom and beer. They all have one thing in common: fungi. This kingdom is intertwined with all sorts of ecosystems, our own biology and culture. Yet, people often associate these stunning (micro-)organisms with filth and decay. Is this stigma valid and how has it affected our understanding of fungi in a scientific way? What can we do to navigate our way through the mycological fog and is the struggle to understand fungi worth the investment?

Generic medicines are the unsung heroes of healthcare, offering affordable alternatives to pricey brand-name drugs. They're just as effective but cost a fraction of the price, making life-saving treatments accessible to millions. And they don’t just copy—they innovate! From combining meds into one pill to creating heat-stable vaccines, generics are shaking things up. By freeing up resources for new research, they show that in healthcare, being a "copy" isn’t second best—it’s revolutionary!