S161: Accessing novel chemistry from fungi

Of the 1.5 million species of fungi estimated to exist at least 74,000 have been described, i.e., are known; in addition, of the 3-4.5 million predicted unique secondary metabolites, a small fraction (10-20,000) have been catalogued. A number of major pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals are derived from fungal metabolites and their importance cannot be overestimated. Gene sequencing data illustrates the further potential of known fungi with the majority of organisms studied containing DNA encoding new biosynthetic pathways. Methods and approaches to access the untapped ability of fungi to make new and useful compounds will be reviewed drawing examples from both our own past discovery research (especially for new anti-cancer leads) and from the recent literature. The question, in the search for novel lead compounds should we look to new and unusual fungi, or should we focus on those already in collections, will be addressed.