Aquatic fungi are among the least studied groups of organisms on Earth, with many species yet to be identified. Nevertheless, they play a vital role in maintaining the ecological balance in our waters. They inhabit puddles, lakes, ice and snow; they decompose organic material; they form symbiotic networks; and they can even break down plastic. Hans-Peter Grossart is one of the few global experts in this field. At IGB, he and his team cultivate fungal strains from lakes to improve our understanding of their role in nutrient cycles. High-resolution images of this work form the basis for an extraordinary project by media artist Helga Griffiths. Her film, 'Fungal Entanglement', premiered at the World Expo 2025 in Osaka (Japan) and is online available here.