Mycology
Mycology is the study of fungi, their genetic and biochemical properties, their taxonomy, and their use to humans, as a source for medicines (see penicillin) and food (beer, wine, cheese), as well as their dangers, such as poisoning or infection. Mycology is closely related to phytopathology, the study of plant diseases. Historically, mycology was a branch of botany. Pioneer mycologists were Elias Magnus Fries, Christian Hendrik Persoon, and Anton de Bary.