In the framework of the MycoKey project, this PhD thesis was mainly directed to search for new biocontrol agents (BCAs) that can be used to control Fusarium graminearum during the pre-harvest stage. MycoKey is a European Horizon 2020 project under the grant agreement No. 678781 which aims at developing smart, integrated, sustainable solutions and innovative
tool kits to reduce the major mycotoxins in economically important food and feed chains. One of the main MycoKey approaches is to develop novel preventive measures and to improve,
combine and fine-tune existing measures. Moreover, this PhD work was achieved through the Association Research Platform at Ghent University called MYTOX which strives to solve current mycotoxin problems endemic in human food and animal feed by incorporating it into a global research framework, based on four main pillars. This includes: (i) identification, characterization and transcriptional engineering of toxigenic fungi; (ii) prevention and control of toxigenic fungi in the food and feed chain; (iii) targeted and non-targeted mycotoxin analysis and (iv) health impact upon toxins exposure. The Centre of Excellence in Mycotoxicology and Public Heath (CoEMPH) together with the Laboratory of Applied Mycology and Phenomics (LAMP) were involved in the work through an intra-university collaboration.