Fungi from under-studied environments: Chemical diversification combined with a metabolomic approach for bioprospecting natural products with cytotoxic potential

• Grant number: 24/17593-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: January 01, 2026
• End date: December 31, 2028
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Botany - Applied Botany
• Principal Investigator: Marcelo José Pena Ferreira
• Grantee: Lucas Paradizo Roma
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 20/02207-5 - Inventorying secondary metabolism applying metabolomic strategies: contribution to the Brazilian biodiversity valuation, AP.BTA.TEM

Abstract

Fungi are promising sources of natural products. In unexplored environments subjected to different evolutionary pressures, fungi can produce new bioactive compounds. This project aims to study the chemical diversity of cave fungi and macroalgae endophytes from Brazil. Guided by untargeted metabolomic techniques for bioprospecting, our goal is to discover new cytotoxic metabolites. Crude fungal extracts will be prepared and subjected to cytotoxic assays, analyzed using mass spectrometry, and organized into molecular networks to identify conditions that produce unique chemical compounds. Selected fungi will be identified, cultured on a large scale, and the compounds produced will be isolated and characterized for reevaluation in cytotoxic assays. Additionally, the diversification of metabolic production will be investigated in selected fungi through the use of elicitors and co-cultivation techniques. This project is linked to Thematic projects, involves collaboration with foreign institutions, and aims to expand knowledge about the chemical diversity and biological potential of Brazilian fungi. (AU)