Cowen Lab Reviews Fungi’s Hidden Threats and Untapped Opportunities
A recent Nature review explores fungi's hidden threats and benefits, emphasizing antifungal resistance, One Health, and climate change mitigation.
The Growing Threat of Fungi and How We Can Harness Them
What if fungi were the biggest threat to humanity, rather than bacteria or viruses? While some fungi support life, others pose significant risks to human, animal, and plant health. With more than two million species, most of which remain undescribed, the question isn’t just what fungi can do, but how we can prepare for what’s to come.
Questions like these are tackled in a recent review by Dr. Nicola (Nikki) Case, Dr. Leah Cowen, and members of the CIFAR Fungal Kingdom research program, published in Nature in February 2025. Nikki Case is a recent PhD graduate from the University of Toronto’s Molecular Genetics department where they conducted research under Dr. Leah Cowen. During their PhD, they also acted as the meeting reporter for the CIFAR Fungal Kingdom research program, which is co-directed by Dr. Cowen. As the lead author of this review, Nikki compiled insights from over 30 experts on the role fungi play in human and ecosystem health, exploring both pressing fungal threats and untapped opportunities.
Collaborative Research and the One Health Approach to Fungal Threats
In the review, the authors emphasize the importance of a "One Health" approach to fungal research, where human, animal, and ecosystem health are interconnected. The authors also highlight the challenge of antifungal resistance, exacerbated by the widespread use of fungicides in agriculture, and the need for careful regulation to protect both human health and food security.
As Nikki puts it, “We really need to have a One Health mentality when we do our research. Even though our work as individual scientists is highly specific, we need to keep in mind that our findings can have broader, global impacts.”
Reflecting on their role in the review, Nikki also emphasizes the challenge of balancing technical content with a conversational tone, ensuring the research was accessible not just to experts but to a wider audience. The collaborative aspect of the review, Nikki says, was a highlight—working alongside so many talented individuals to shed light on the untapped potential of fungi.
This collaborative spirit is evident in the work of CIFAR, the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, which brings together global researchers to tackle complex, interdisciplinary challenges. Nikki describes the program as a “think tank” for research, emphasizing its collaborative ethos, where researchers from different fields work together to tackle problems that no single discipline could solve alone. The Fungal Kingdom program, in particular, focuses on fungal pathogens and their impact on human, plant, and animal health, as well as applications of fungi in agriculture and drug discovery.
What’s Next for Fungi?
Building on the review’s insights, Nikki is particularly interested in exploring how fungi could help mitigate climate change. For example, mycorrhizal fungi, which form underground networks with trees, not only boost plant growth but also store carbon. Nikki is excited by the potential of harnessing these fungi during reforestation to improve resilience and carbon capture. Companies like Funga are already exploring fungi’s role in climate adaptation, showing how this often-overlooked kingdom can play a vital role in global sustainability.
Despite growing recognition of their potential, Nikki believes that fungal research has historically been underacknowledged. Fungi, often underestimated, offer incredible potential, from life-saving medicines like antibiotics and immunosuppressants to climate change solutions. With countless species still to be discovered, fungi remain a goldmine for new research, and the field’s collaborative community welcomes everyone, offering a spot for diverse interests. For those ready to explore untapped possibilities, this is a chance to be at the forefront of a rapidly evolving field with the power to shape the future.
