Zombie fungi aren't just cool — they're extremely useful.


Dr. Brian Lovett is back on the show to discuss the powers of entomopathogenic fungi. We get into the weeds of what makes these fungi equip for success as carnivores, transgenic engineering, the evolution of pathology and more. Brian also shares cutting edge research from the MosquitoSphere in Burkina Faso, where he and his team work to combat malaria using Metarhizium fungi.

Topics Covered:

Defining entomopathogenic fungi
Chemical signaling and mechanisms of infection
Circadian rhythms in fungi, and how entomopathogenic fungi time keep in their hosts
Mycopesticides, especially to fight Malaria in mosquitoes
Transgenic engineering of fungi with spider venom genes to target insects
Metarhizium as a platform fungi for board and narrow range target specific
Current practices, successes and challenges in the fight against malaria
Ethics of developing and deploying biotechnology in international local communities
Synergies between bio and chemical insecticides
Unique chemical compositions of entomopathogenic fungi


Show notes:

Brian Lovett's website: https://www.lovettbr.com/

Cordyceps unilateralis on the BBC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuKjBIBBAL8
Genetically engineering fungal pesticides: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ps.4734
The Insect Pathogens: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1128/9781555819583.ch45
Zombie Insect Presentation with Genspace: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KF7NOiREHlU
Articles mentioned: https://www.bbc.com/news/health-48464510
Transgenic Metarhizium: https://science.sciencemag.org/content/364/6443/894.abstract