Making the most of Malaysia's many mushrooms

Monday, 13 February 2012

Making the most of Malaysia's many mushrooms

Source: New Straits Times (Malaysia)

22 February 2005 | EN

Pycnoporus sanguineus is one of the species the Malaysian researchers are studying

Wikipedia / Eric Guinther

In many developing countries, mycology — the study of fungi — is neglected relative to other fields of biology. Advances in biochemistry are, however, making it easier to research potential drugs and other compounds from an estimated three million fungal species.

In this article, Theresa Manavalan reports on how two professors at the University of Malaya are trying to reverse Malaysia's lack of expertise in the field by training a small group to become experts on the country's many species of fungus.

In the past year, mycologists S. Vikineswary and Noorlidah Abdullah have organised excursions with postgraduate students to research the fungi in Malaysia's forests. They hope each will specialise in the study of a different group of species.

The last significant studies of Malaysia's fungal diversity were done during World War Two.

Link to full New Straits Times article

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