Crittenden P D, Porter N
Department of Life Science, University of Nottingham, UK.
Trends Biotechnol. 1991 Dec;9(12):409-14. doi: 10.1016/0167-7799(91)90141-4.
The challenge for today's pharmaceutical industry lies in the discovery and development of new, pharmacologically active molecules. Metabolites produced by microorganisms, and fungi in particular, are a resource for which the therapeutic potential has been recognized, but one that remains largely unexplored and unexploited. Approximately 20% of all known fungal species are obligate symbionts in lichens; this major group of fungi has been long neglected by mycologists, and overlooked by industry.
