The intensive use and dependence on synthetic pesticides combined with the apparition of resistance and the persistence and accumulation of these molecules in the environment, has had a negative impacts on biodiversity and on environmental and human health. The search for natural, sustainable and effective alternative products, which are compatible with integrated pest management, is needed in agriculture for the protection of plants. COP2FUN aims to explore the biotechnological potential of lichen-associated fungi (endolichenic) as a renewable source of new, sustainable, natural fungicides by exploring their chemical diversity. This project relies on an innovative methodology ensuring the discovery and characterization of new antifungal molecules against plant pathogens including four Ascomycetes (Botrytis cinerea, Fusarium solani, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Alternaria solani) and an Oomycete, Phytophtora infectans from 200 extracts obtained from cultivable endolichenic fungi (ELF) by means of omics approaches (genomic and metabolomic); evaluation of their levels of bioactivities against B. cinerea this large spectrum pathogen without phytotoxicity on clones of two economically relevant plants, grapevine (Vitis vinifera) and potato (Solanum tuberosum); identification of genes clusters of involved in the biosynthesis of these secondary metabolites; and the performance of toxicological and ecotoxicological studies. Thanks to this strategy, COP2FUN will be able to discover new bioactive molecules from an original and under-exploited source and produce them in a sustainable way. Between 15 and 20 new active compounds should be isolated and identified after large-scale fungal cultivation. They will be obtained in sufficient quantity to assess their biological activities. Deep toxicological studies will be performed to highlight their innocuity against non-target organisms such as plants, mammalian cells, vertebrates and invertebrates. The methodology of the project and the expertise of the consortium ensure an innovative eco-responsible advance in protection of plant production. COP2FUN project is in the line with the objectives of the axis A.3 of the ANR call for projects “Biology of animals, photosynthetic organisms and microorganisms”. Its consortium consists of three academic partners with complementary skills in natural product chemistry and plant biology (LABCiS, Limoges University), fungal genomics and synthetic biology (WI, Westerdjik Fungal Biodiversity Institute), and (eco)toxicology (ImPACcel, IRSET, Rennes University), and covers the entire research and innovation chain.

The overall objective of CHEMBIOFUN is to explore the fundamental and biotechnological potentials of fungal metabolites in order to understand their environmental impact and provide original bio-based products for pharmaceutical, agronomy and cosmeceutical industry. Fungi are widespread in nature and have conquered nearly every ecological niche. Because they compete with other microbes or animals, fungi have developed numerous survival mechanisms, including the production of chemical mediators which exhibit a wide range of biological activities with potential for various applications in industry, health and agronomy. Although fungi constitute an incredibly and still untapped source of original bioactive compounds, they remain an underexplored group of organisms for such compounds. The study of fungal secondary metabolites is experiencing a revival of interest thanks to numerous scientific advances in biology, chemistry and omics technologies. Therefore, transdisciplinary and integrative approaches to develop new concepts and tools with the aim of deciphering the biosynthesis of fungal compounds, their ecological roles and their environmental impacts are strongly needed. New methods for large-scale production of such promising compounds, using fermentation-based, fossil energy-free and environmentally compatible industrial processes, are also needed. Addressing these major societal challenges requires long-term investment, and thus there is an urgent need to train students that will be capable of implementing multidisciplinary strategies in the future. CHEMBIOFUN goal is thus to be an international PhD programme for highly motivated young scientists, offering to 10 early-stage researchers (ESRs) the opportunity to improve their research and entrepreneurial skills and enhance their career prospects. Support from MRSEI will allow the CHEMBIOFUN consortium to efficiently prepare a grant proposal for the call “HORIZON-MSCA-2022-DN-01”