Eurofung, a growing network of highly qualified fungal research groups in Europe, has presented an expression of interest to the EU in order to be considered for financial support from the Sixth Framework Programme for a new ambitious and challenging programme called M€difung. 

Filamentous fungi play an important role in daily life, being both friend and foe. The ability of some fungi to produce large quantities of useful metabolites, such as penicillins, cephalosporins and proteins, has been well established. On the other hand, human health is increasingly affected by fungal infections. Aspergillosis, caused by Aspergillus fumigatus, is one of the most common invasive fungal infection diseases worldwide today. Now that several relevant genomic sequences of fungi, especially of A. fumigatus, are available, new lines of research can be developed.

Medifung aims at the application of genomics and biotechnology in fungal research in order to improve and speed up the production of medically important proteins. The programme also meets the pressing need for the identification and production of new bioactive molecules with anti-microbial, anti-fungal and anti-tumour properties.

Thirdly, new diagnostic tools for human fungal pathogens and strategies for their treatment will be developed. Considering the enormous unexploited fungal biodiversity, it is expected that the research in the proposed programme will provide essential contributions to this. To discuss, spread and apply the M€difung research results, Eurofung will organize a multitude of communication activities.

Eurofung has the ambition to involve society in its research. Therefore social scientific studies on the socio-economic aspects of M€difung will be started. A multidisciplinary fungal teaching and training programme will inform young researchers about the latest developments in fungal research. In addition Eurofung will stimulate the exchange of scientific personnel. An industrial platform has been created to channel the research results into practice.

Besides the collaboration with the existing industrial partners, new start-up companies will be founded and initially provided with support. Representing up to 40 of the leading European groups in fungal research and thirteen related companies, Eurofung now is the most multidisciplinary fungal research project in the world.