In a discovery that bridges the gap between historical botanical mysteries and modern pharmaceutical potential, a West Virginia University microbiology student has identified a long-sought-after fungus that produces compounds similar to the semisynthetic drug LSD. The finding, which could hold significant implications for the future of treating mental health conditions such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and addiction, represents the culmination of a decades-long search by the scientific community.
Corinne Hazel, a Goldwater Scholar and environmental microbiology major from Delaware, Ohio, discovered the new species of fungus while conducting research within the WVU Davis College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. The fungus, which she has formally named Periglandula clandestina, was found thriving within the seed coats of morning glory plants. This breakthrough was made under the mentorship of Daniel Panaccione, the Davis-Michael Professor of Plant and Soil Sciences at the university, who has long specialized in the study of plant-fungus interactions.
The discovery occurred as the research team was investigating the mechanisms through which morning glory plants disperse protective chemicals known as "ergot alkaloids" through their root systems. While examining a vast collection of plant samples in the laboratory, Hazel noticed an anomaly. "We had a ton of plants lying around and they had these tiny little seed coats," Hazel recalled. "We noticed a little bit of fuzz in the seed coat. That was our fungus."
Recognizing the potential significance of the observation, the team moved quickly to verify the identity of the organism. Supported by a WVU Davis College Student Enhancement Grant, Hazel prepared DNA samples for genome sequencing. The results were definitive: the sequencing confirmed that the organism was not only a distinct species but one that had successfully evaded detection by researchers for generations. The genomic sequence has since been deposited in a global gene bank, bearing Hazel’s name as the discoverer.
"Sequencing a genome is a significant thing," Panaccione noted, highlighting the magnitude of the student’s achievement. "It’s amazing for a student."
The scientific importance of Periglandula clandestina lies in its relationship with the morning glory plant. The two organisms exist in a symbiotic state, with the fungus producing the very same ergot alkaloids that Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann famously modified in the late 1930s to synthesize LSD. For decades, researchers have hypothesized that a hidden fungal partner was responsible for the presence of these psychoactive alkaloids in morning glories, but the elusive nature of the fungus had kept it a mystery—until now.
Panaccione explained the historical context of the search, noting that morning glories have long been known to contain high concentrations of lysergic acid derivatives, which are responsible for their psychedelic properties. "This inspired Hofmann and others to investigate morning glories for the presence of a hidden fungus related to the ergot fungus that might be the source of these chemicals," Panaccione said. "They found very similar chemicals, but they could never find the fungus itself."
The publication of their findings in the journal Mycologia marks the end of that decades-long quest. The name Periglandula clandestina was chosen specifically to honor the fungus’s remarkable ability to remain hidden from investigators for so many years.
Ergot alkaloids, while biologically fascinating, represent a complex subject in both medicine and agriculture. Produced exclusively by fungi, they are frequently found on grains such as rye. In their raw form, these compounds can be highly toxic to both humans and livestock, posing significant risks. However, when properly managed and refined, they have long served as essential tools in clinical medicine. Clinicians have historically utilized derivatives of these alkaloids to treat a variety of conditions, including migraines, dementia, uterine hemorrhaging, and Parkinson’s disease.
The discovery of Periglandula clandestina is particularly exciting because the fungus is highly efficient at producing these alkaloids in large quantities. This efficiency could be a game-changer for pharmaceutical development, providing a more reliable way to study these compounds and potentially synthesize them for therapeutic use.
"Many things are toxic," Panaccione observed. "But if you administer them in the right dosage or modify them, they can be useful pharmaceuticals. By studying them, we may be able to figure out ways to bypass the side effects. These are big issues for medicine and agriculture."
The potential for new research avenues is vast. As the medical community continues to explore the use of psychedelic-derived compounds for treating treatment-resistant depression and PTSD, the ability to study the natural production of these chemicals in a symbiotic system provides a unique advantage. By understanding the biological "machinery" that the fungus uses to create these alkaloids, scientists may be able to manipulate the process to create more stable or effective versions of the drugs currently under investigation.
For Hazel, the discovery is the highlight of her undergraduate career, representing the perfect alignment of curiosity, preparation, and chance. "I think that’s the perfect name," Panaccione said of the clandestina designation. "And I love that we did this project together. Corinne has a ton of talent. It’s about students recognizing the opportunities, seizing them, and having the skill and the brain power to bring this work to fruition."
As for the next steps in her research, Hazel is currently focusing on the logistical challenges of the organism itself. Because the fungus is slow-growing, she is investigating the most effective ways to culture it in a laboratory setting. Furthermore, her work has opened doors to broader questions about the morning glory family. She is now interested in determining whether other species of morning glory might also host unidentified fungal symbiotes, potentially revealing a larger, hidden ecosystem of alkaloid-producing fungi that has yet to be described by modern science.
Reflecting on the experience, Hazel remains grounded, acknowledging that while the discovery was a result of diligent scientific inquiry, there was also an element of serendipity. "I’m lucky to have stumbled into this opportunity," she said. "People have been looking for this fungus for years, and one day, I look in the right place, and there it is. I’m very proud of the work that I’ve done at WVU."
The discovery of Periglandula clandestina serves as a potent reminder of the mysteries that remain in the natural world, even within plants that have been studied for decades. By successfully identifying the source of the alkaloids that have fascinated chemists and medical researchers since the 20th century, Hazel and Panaccione have provided a new foundation for future pharmaceutical innovation. As the scientific community begins to analyze the genomic data and culture the fungus, the implications for the future of psychiatric care and drug development remain high, proving that even a small "bit of fuzz" in a seed coat can lead to a significant advancement in human health.
