The hidden potential of South American Cortinarii

• Applicant: Dr. Norbert Arnold
• Subject Area: Pharmacy ; Evolution and Systematics of Plants and Fungi ; Organic Molecular Chemistry - Synthesis and Characterisation
• Term: since 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 491871566

The aim of the project is to sample and eventually newly describe South American dermocyboid C., to isolate, identify their pigments, and to test the latter for photo-activity. As a base of the project, the taxonomy of endemic dermocyboid Cortinarii is resolved with extensive fieldwork, molecular network analysis of metabolites, and multi-gene phylogeny. Molecular network analysis is used for the first time here as metabolomic-taxonomical tool. Pigment profiles will be created by coupling thin layer chromatography and mass spectrometry using desorption electrospray ionization. (New) pigments will be isolated and their structure elucidated and tested for their biological activity with a focus on targeted light activation.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Austria
• Cooperation Partners: Professorin Dr. Ursula Peintner; Dr. Bianca Siewert