Motivation for CanFunNet
There are many ways that fungal researchers are separated from each other by artificial barriers between basic, medical, and applied sciences. We established the Canadian Fungal Network (CanFunNet) in 2019 to alleviate this problem in Canada by facilitating dialogue among scientists working across diverse sub-disciplines, institutions and countries. Our overall mission is to leverage the collective expertise of Canadian researchers and their colleagues abroad to address critical questions related to fungal ecology and fungal disease, as well as to enhance training opportunities and provided needed expertise to public health authorities.
The yearly CanFunNet Fungal Biology Conference
In pursuit of our mission, each year we host a National Conference. The first CanFunNet conference was held virtually in July 2020, and was followed by our 2nd virtual conference hosted jointly with the Great Lakes Mycology Meetings in May 2021 and a 3rd virtual conference hosted by the University of Alberta in June 2022 (see Past Meetings for more information).
This year, we are excited to go east to the Canadian Maritimes for CanFunNet23, our 4th Annual Virtual Meeting hosted by Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia and the New Brunswick Museum in Saint John. Building on our previous meetings, our program is being structured around an exciting line-up of plenary talks and invited sessions under the theme “Fungi from Coast to Coast”. Our scientific program will continue to showcase cutting-edge mycological research from around the world with a distinctly Canadian angle. This year’s conference, after three years of a global pandemic, will continue to feature thoughtful interactive features that will provide enriched opportunities to exchange information and ideas and form networks and collaborations in fungal research.
Check out this year's conference website here to learn more and register.
If you have an idea for CanFunNet, please be in touch! We are organizing under a cooperative model and welcome ideas, input, and additional organizers from the community.
This year, we are excited to go east to the Canadian Maritimes for CanFunNet23, our 4th Annual Virtual Meeting hosted by Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia and the New Brunswick Museum in Saint John. Building on our previous meetings, our program is being structured around an exciting line-up of plenary talks and invited sessions under the theme “Fungi from Coast to Coast”. Our scientific program will continue to showcase cutting-edge mycological research from around the world with a distinctly Canadian angle. This year’s conference, after three years of a global pandemic, will continue to feature thoughtful interactive features that will provide enriched opportunities to exchange information and ideas and form networks and collaborations in fungal research.
Check out this year's conference website here to learn more and register.
If you have an idea for CanFunNet, please be in touch! We are organizing under a cooperative model and welcome ideas, input, and additional organizers from the community.
Why fungi?
The fungi comprise a morphologically diverse and metabolically versatile kingdom estimated to include 2.2 to 3.8 million species. Fungi are ubiquitous across Earth’s environments and their myriad activities underpin the health and functioning of ecosystems and societies. Many environmental fungi perform critical roles in decomposition and nutrient cycling; domesticated industrial fungi aid in the manufacturing of antimicrobials and wine and beer; mutualistic fungi promote plant and animal growth; and yeast are probably the best-studied eukaryotic model system for scientific and biomedical research.
Fungi are also incredibly successful pathogens, including the most prevalent pathogens of agriculturally important crops, insect, amphibian, and other animal species. Fungal pathogens of humans in particular are an increasingly important source of disease in both healthy and immunocompromised individuals. Over the past thirty years, the increasing threat of fungi as agricultural and human pathogens has become apparent and a growing cause of concern. In Canada, ~1.8% of the population (~650K people) are affected by serious fungal infections, and invasive fungal infections are an important cause of mortality, particularly among the ever- increasing population of elderly and immune-compromised individuals. In addition, Canadians are increasingly impacted by previously unrecognized fungal pathogens that have emerged because of changing environmental conditions.
Fungi are also incredibly successful pathogens, including the most prevalent pathogens of agriculturally important crops, insect, amphibian, and other animal species. Fungal pathogens of humans in particular are an increasingly important source of disease in both healthy and immunocompromised individuals. Over the past thirty years, the increasing threat of fungi as agricultural and human pathogens has become apparent and a growing cause of concern. In Canada, ~1.8% of the population (~650K people) are affected by serious fungal infections, and invasive fungal infections are an important cause of mortality, particularly among the ever- increasing population of elderly and immune-compromised individuals. In addition, Canadians are increasingly impacted by previously unrecognized fungal pathogens that have emerged because of changing environmental conditions.