Abstract
Psilocybin has breakthrough clinical potential for mental health, anxiety, addiction and palliative care, and its potential for innovation beyond humans has not been explored. Alistair studies the biodiversity of mushrooms that produce psilocybin in Australia, with outcomes of his research providing knowledge for biosecurity, biodiscovery, legislation against biopiracy and conservation. Tune in to Alistair's talk to learn about how to identify mushrooms, their diversity in Australia, new species that await discovery, issues that surround their collection and fungal reproduction.
Dr Alistair McTaggart
Alistair is a research fellow for the Centre of Horticultural Science. He studies the evolution of fungal pathogens, with a focus on rust and smut fungi. He has completed postdocs in Africa, America and Europe. Alistair has started a new research direction for UQ, studying the biodiversity of native psychoactive mushrooms in Australia. This research will determine whether Australian magic mushrooms have evolved unique genetic pathways for production of psilocybin and confirm endemicity of our native taxa. Alistair will establish a living collection to safeguard genetic diversity and provide a platform to research the applications of psilocybin for human health.
Dr Alistair McTaggart, Research Fellow at Centre for Horticultural Science E: a.mctaggart@uq.edu.au
For any questions, please contact the QAAFI Science Seminar Committee.
For any questions, please contact the QAAFI Science Seminar Committee.
About Science Seminars
Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation hosts science seminars across the disciplines of animal, horticulture, crop, food and nutritional sciences.
With a range of speakers from Australia and abroad, the series explores how high-impact science will significantly improve the competitiveness and sustainability of the tropical and sub-tropical food, fibre and agribusiness sectors.
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The Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation is a research institute at The University of Queensland supported by the Queensland Government via the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.
Venue
https://uqz.zoom.us/j/86033698859
