Slime Molds

Slime molds are a type of protist, single-celled organisms without cell walls, that form plasmodia and often produce fruiting bodies. They have the ability to migrate across surfaces and have been found in a variety of habitats, from soil to local streams and tree trunks. Slime molds are of considerable interest to scientists because of their ability to produce fruiting bodies, unique structures that may indicate a form of primitive ‘decision making’ within the organism. Slime molds are also used in basic research and provide important insight into cell behaviour and processes, such as adhesion and transportation of nutrients. Beyond their scientific applications, slime molds have also been identified as a source of a unique enzyme, xanthan gum, which is used in a range of industrial applications, including food processing and biomedicine.