International collaboration to explore the hidden world of fungi

[Translate to English:] Empfangsschild des Arabuko-Sokoke-Nationalparks — The Mycobiomics team collected samples of various fungi in the Arabuko Sokoke National Park in Kenya

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07/09/2025

Mycobiomics undertakes expedition to Kenya and symposium in South Africa

Natural substances are an important source of active ingredients used in medicine. However, the chemical diversity of fungi in particular has not yet been sufficiently researched. The EU project Mycobiomics, coordinated by Marc Stadler, Head of the Department “Microbial Drugs” at the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), is investigating the biodiversity of fungi in Europe, Asia and Africa in order to identify pharmaceutically valuable secondary metabolites. In May and June 2025, project participants met in Kenya and South Africa for an expedition and a subsequent symposium.

Starting on May 27, the Mycobiomics team from the Czech Republic, Germany, Kenya, South Africa, and Thailand came together for an exciting five-day expedition in the biodiverse Arabuko Sokoke Forest, east of Malindi, Kenya. The national park is an untouched primary forest on the coast of the Indian Ocean.

Hosted by Josphat Matasyoh (Egerton University, Kenya), the team explored multiple sites to collect soil samples, mushrooms, and insect- & plant-associated fungi in one of East Africa’s richest biodiversity hotspots. At the end of each day, the researchers processed the samples in joint lab sessions and exchanged techniques.

Joint laboratory session for sample preparation

Group photo of the Mycobiomics Symposium at FABI in Pretoria, South Africa

Following the expedition, the HZI delegation traveled on to Pretoria, South Africa. From June 2 to 5, the Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI) at the University of Pretoria hosted 40 researchers from Germany, Thailand, the Netherlands, Czech Republic, Austria, Spain, Columbia, China, Pakistan, Kenya and South Africa, for a Mycobiomics symposium.

The scientific program featured 32 talks delivered in themed mini-symposia, covering topics from fungal taxonomy and biodiversity to natural products. Guest speaker Peter Mortimer (Applied Symbiotics) spoke on “New perspectives on how we can use and produce mushrooms – lessons from Asia.”

Beyond the science, the week was filled with memorable cultural and social events. The Mycobiomics Meeting celebrated science and culture while strengthening global ties to tackle challenges in health, agriculture & biotech.

From forest floors to lab benches to conference halls, this collaboration is a powerful reminder of how global partnerships drive science forward, especially in uncovering the hidden world of fungi. Mycobiomics is funded by the EU’s Horizon 2020 (RISE) under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions grant (Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No.: 101008129).

Authors: Christiane Fritz-Braun, Neriman Yilmaz and Josphat Matasyoh

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