Bioactive secondary metabolites from Australian macrofungi

Speaker:  Dr Kylie Agnew-Francis

Title: Bioactive secondary metabolites from Australian macrofungi

Abstract: Fungi can produce a wide range of complex secondary metabolites necessary for survival and proliferation. Many of these secondary metabolites have found application as drugs for the treatment of disease, including invasive fungal infection (e.g., echinocandin B), heart disease (e.g., lovastatin), and autoimmune disorders (e.g., cyclosporin). In Australia, it is believed that there are between 50,000 – 250,000 species of fungi. Despite their abundance, recorded knowledge concerning endemic species is underdeveloped, to the extent that most species remain undescribed. Little is known as to their biological diversity, ecological importance, toxicity, medicinal properties, or other potential uses. Our work in this area aims to understand the production and bioactive properties of secondary metabolites derived from Australian wood-rot fungi through a combination of traditional natural products chemistry and multi-omics (metabolomics, proteomics, and whole-genome sequencing). In this presentation I will discuss preliminary findings from two genus of Australian fungi, Hericium and Kretzschmaria, collected from Tasmanian and Queensland rainforests, and how we are able to leverage these findings to engage with government, community organisations and other industries.