Life Cycle of Indoor Mold

Molds growing indoor have the ability to reproduce and colonize building materials as long as moisture is present. When conditions change and the moisture is removed, most residual spores become dormant. The length of time that spore can remain dormant depends on the species and the environment. Ultraviolet light and high temperatures limit the survival of outdoor spores, though many species have evolved elaborate mechanisms and structures that protect spores for harsh environments. Spores contain pigments that reduce UV damage, complex carbohydrate and proteins that reduce desiccation, and mycotoxins that discourage insect feeding. Since indoor spores are not typically exposed to these inhospitable environments, they remain viable longer than their outdoor counterparts.

About the Author: Edward Sobek, PhD, MBA

Dr. Edward Sobek has 25 years of experience in microbiology and indoor air quality. He has a master’s degree in Plant Pathology from Iowa State University, where he studied Fusarium disease transmission in field crops. He received his doctorate degree from Texas Tech University where he studied the ecology of desert molds (mitosporic fungi). He obtained his Executive MBA in Healthcare leadership from the University of Tennessee's presidious Haslam School of Business in 2016. Dr. Sobek is an active researcher. He holds the appointment of Senior Research Scientist with the University of Tennessee’s Center for Environmental Biotechnology CEB and has developed and patented several mold detection technologies. He is a sought after speaker on the scientific circuit by educational and governmental organizations that are anxious to learn how to use DNA to detect mold in residential and commercial properties. He has also published a variety of scientific papers, book chapters, white papers, and trade articles for the IAQ industry.