Genomic and Biosynthetic Analysis of the Purple Pigment Guaiazulene and its Production in Lactarius indigo
Blanchard, Olivia
Blanchard, Olivia
Citations
Altmetric:
License
License
Abstract
Lactarius indigo produces a striking blue pigment derived from azulene-type sesquiterpenoids, including guaiazulene-like compounds. Despite increasing interest in fungal secondary metabolism, the genetic and biochemical pathways underlying guaiazulene biosynthesis remain poorly understood. This project proposes to identify candidate genes and reconstruct the biosynthetic pathway of guaiazulene in L. indigo using comparative genomics and bioinformatics approaches. By integrating genome mining, phylogenetic analysis, and biosynthetic gene cluster prediction, this study aims to provide insight into fungal metabolic diversity and the ecological roles of pigment production. Findings may also contribute to applications in natural product chemistry and biotechnology. This poster describes an imagined project developed as an assignment in PBIO 3990-E, Advanced Mycology Lab (Terry Delaney, instructor).
Description
Date
1/1/2026
Student Status
Sophomore (Graduating in 2028)
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Type of presentation
Poster
Collections
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Journal Issue
Citation
DOI
Advisor(s)
Department
Program/Major
Biological Sciences
College/School
College of Arts and Sciences
Organization
Research Category
Life Science