PhD research: Characterization and evolution of psychoactive and medicinal ergot alkaloids in African species of Ipomoea (Convolvulaceae)

Date
October 2023 to September 2028
Countries
Members
Keywords
Clavicipitaceae
Convolvulaceae
ergot alkaloids
symbiosis
eastern Africa
evolutionary biology
Institutions
The National Museums of Kenya (Kenya)
Research fields
Biology and Life Sciences

Ergot Alkaloids (EAs) are bioactive compounds with medicinal and psychoactive properties, which are produced through a unique heritable fungi-plant symbiosis, only known to occur in grasses and morning glories (Ipomoea). The diversification of EAs in East African Ipomoea will be investigated, towards novel insights into the evolution of heritable fungal-plant symbiosis and EA diversification in Eudicotyledons.

Fieldwork/Training/Topics

Ergot Alkaloids (EAs) are bioactive compounds with medicinal and psychoactive properties, which are produced through a unique heritable fungi-plant symbiosis, only known to occur in grasses and morning glories (Ipomoea). The diversification of EAs in East African Ipomoea will be investigated, towards novel insights into the evolution of heritable fungal-plant symbiosis and EA diversification in Eudicotyledons.