Lichen pigments: understanding their evolution through culturing and metagenomics - Theo Llewellyn

Fungi produce a vast number of metabolite compounds that shape their interactions with other organisms and the environment. Identifying the genetic mechanisms that underpin metabolite synthesis is therefore key to understanding fungal lifestyles and evolution. Lichenised fungi represent almost one-third of the known Ascomycota (the largest phylum of Fungi) and boast an impressive repertoire of secondary metabolites that enable them to grow in habitats that are otherwise stressful for other organisms. However, their slow growth, chemical complexity and intimate symbiosis with other organisms makes it hard to uncover their genetic pathways involved in metabolite biosynthesis. In this lecture, Theo discusses how he is using metagenomic sequencing, in vitro culturing and metabolomics to survey genes associated with production of anthraquinones, a secondary metabolite group that is UV-protectant and present in various fungal lineages, but especially abundant in a diverse order of lichens, the Teloschistales.
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presented by Theo Llewellyn, PhD student (Imperial College London/RBG Kew)
Torrey Botanical Society Spring 2022 Lecture Series
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00:00 Introduction
00:08 Lecture
33:31 Q&A
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