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.
Updates for CanFunNet 2025
In pursuit of our mission, each year we host a National Conference. The first CanFunNet conference was held virtually in July 2020 and has been successfully followed up each year (see Past Meetings for more information).
For 2025, CanFunNet is headed back to Ontario and will be hosted bythe University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario. With an exciting lineup of excellent plenary speakers, covering topics of Evolutionary Pathways of Fungal Pathogens to Fungal Genomics and Host Interactions, to Fungal Resilience in Changing Environments. Join us on August 6 - 8 for CanFunNet25 - Fungi: From Local to Global, as we continue our virtual conference platform for the 5th Annual CanFunNet conference in Fungal Biology.
Our conference website is live! and WE HAVE A PROGRAM!!!
If you would like to join us to watch our amazing lineup of talks in a wide range of topics in fungal biology, which will feature Fungal Genetics and Genomics, Plant Pathology, Medical Mycology, Fungal Applications, and more!), you can still register now for #CFN25!
For 2025, CanFunNet is headed back to Ontario and will be hosted bythe University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario. With an exciting lineup of excellent plenary speakers, covering topics of Evolutionary Pathways of Fungal Pathogens to Fungal Genomics and Host Interactions, to Fungal Resilience in Changing Environments. Join us on August 6 - 8 for CanFunNet25 - Fungi: From Local to Global, as we continue our virtual conference platform for the 5th Annual CanFunNet conference in Fungal Biology.
Our conference website is live! and WE HAVE A PROGRAM!!!
If you would like to join us to watch our amazing lineup of talks in a wide range of topics in fungal biology, which will feature Fungal Genetics and Genomics, Plant Pathology, Medical Mycology, Fungal Applications, and more!), you can still register now for #CFN25!
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.
