Canada’s largest fungi biobank faces closure amid funding crisis

Canadian scientists are scrambling to save the nation’s largest public fungi biobank, which holds thousands of fungal strains vital for disease research and drug development but faces imminent shutdown without new funding.

Emily Chung reports for CBC.

In short:

The UAMH Centre for Global Microfungal Biodiversity at the University of Toronto holds 12,000 fungi strains essential for studying diseases, including those emerging due to climate change.
A lack of funding may lead to the collection being transferred abroad, which would restrict Canadian researchers’ access due to logistical and regulatory challenges.
The collection includes unique and irreplaceable samples that scientists use to develop treatments for antibiotic-resistant infections and animal diseases.

Key quote:

“We absolutely are seeing climate change-driven increases in certain diseases that stand to wipe out populations of certain animals.”

— James Scott, director of the UAMH Centre for Global Microfungal Biodiversity

Why this matters:

Fungi are a critical but often overlooked component of ecosystems and medicine. This biobank supports research on treatments for fungal infections and the impacts of climate change. Its closure could hinder Canada’s ability to respond to rising health threats.

Learn more: How fungi could help clean up our biggest toxic messes

www.cbc.ca

Canada’s largest fungi biobank faces closure amid funding crisis

Chemical giant, climate skeptics vie for seats on EPA science panel

Nutritionist Marion Nestle weighs in on 'What to Eat Now'

With Trump absent from COP30 talks, the world moves on without U.S.

Podcast: Will we artificially cool the planet?

Fossil fuel lobbyists outnumber all COP30 delegations except Brazil, report says

European Parliament backs diluted 2040 climate targets

Opponents say bill bolstering Ohio's orphan well program is too generous to the oil and gas industry

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Pennsylvania health advocates say Trump’s first 100 days in office have caused “100 harms” to local communities

“They're terrorizing these scientists because they want to keep them silent.”

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.