In a laboratory at West Virginia University, a discovery has been made that bridges a decades-old gap in botanical and pharmaceutical science. Corinne Hazel, an environmental microbiology student and Goldwater Scholar, has identified a long-sought-after fungus that resides within morning glory plants—an organism that produces the natural precursors to the semisynthetic drug LSD. The discovery of this fungus, which has been named Periglandula clandestina, represents a significant milestone for researchers looking to harness the therapeutic potential of ergot alkaloids for conditions such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and addiction.
The identification of this species is the culmination of a mystery that traces its roots back to the mid-20th century. For years, scientists have understood that certain varieties of morning glories possessed psychedelic properties, but the exact biological source of these chemical compounds remained a subject of intense speculation and unsuccessful searches. By identifying Periglandula clandestina, Hazel has provided the scientific community with a tangible source for these potent chemicals, opening new doors for drug development and agricultural science.
Hazel, a native of Delaware, Ohio, made the discovery while working under the mentorship of Daniel Panaccione, the Davis-Michael Professor of Plant and Soil Sciences at the WVU Davis College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. The research was initially focused on a different aspect of plant physiology: how morning glories distribute protective chemicals, known as ergot alkaloids, through their root systems. It was during this systematic investigation of the plants’ defensive mechanisms that Hazel noticed something unusual.
The breakthrough occurred almost by chance, though it was facilitated by Hazel’s keen observational skills. In the lab, the researchers were surrounded by a large volume of morning glory specimens. While examining the plants, Hazel turned her attention to the tiny, often overlooked seed coats. It was there that she spotted a subtle physical clue—a small amount of "fuzz" nestled within the seed coat. This minute biological material turned out to be the hidden fungus that had evaded researchers for generations.
To confirm the identity of the organism, Hazel and Panaccione took a rigorous molecular approach. They prepared a DNA sample from the fungal material and submitted it for full genome sequencing. This high-level analysis was made possible through a WVU Davis College Student Enhancement Grant, which Hazel had successfully obtained to fund her research. When the results returned, they confirmed what the team suspected: they had found a brand-new species of fungus. The genetic sequence of Periglandula clandestina has since been deposited into an international gene bank, a prestigious achievement that cements Hazel’s contribution to the global scientific record.
Professor Panaccione emphasized the weight of this accomplishment, noting that for an undergraduate student to lead the way in sequencing a genome is a remarkable feat. The significance of the work, however, goes beyond the academic prestige of naming a new species; it connects directly to the history of modern pharmacology and the work of Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann.
