Genomics-Driven Discovery and Biosynthesis of Bioactive Small Molecules from Fungi

Fungal genomes encode vast potential for biosynthesis of myriad bioactive small molecules. By mining the genome of the damaging wheat pathogen Parastagonospora nodorum, three biosynthetic gene clusters phm, alp and sth were revealed to encode the production of phytotoxic molecules phomacins, alternapyrones and stemphyloxins, respectively. Phomacins were shown to be involved in virulence. The elucidation of the biosynthesis of two novel alkaloids, burnettramic acid and nanangelenin A, from two novel Australian Aspergillus fungi was also described. The thesis contributed to new knowledge on fungal secondary metabolism and opened up opportunities to harness the molecules and enzymes for biotechnological applications.