Code
01W05223
Duration
01 October 2023 → 30 September 2028
Funding
Regional and community funding: Special Research Fund
Promotor
Research disciplines
-
Natural sciences
- Analytical separation and detection techniques
- Phylogeny and comparative analysis
- Plant systematics and taxonomy
Keywords
Clavicipitaceae
Convolvulaceae
ergot alkaloids
evolution
Eastern Africa
symbiosis.
Project description
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.