In the quiet, methodical environment of a microbiology laboratory at West Virginia University, a discovery has been made that bridges a gap in scientific history spanning nearly a century. Corinne Hazel, an environmental microbiology student and Goldwater Scholar, has identified a previously unknown species of fungus that serves as the biological engine behind the potent chemical compounds found in morning glory plants. This discovery, which has eluded some of the most prominent figures in 20th-century chemistry, carries significant implications for the future of pharmaceutical development, particularly in the treatment of mental health conditions and neurological disorders.
The fungus, which Hazel has officially named Periglandula clandestina, is the long-sought source of ergot alkaloids—natural compounds that share a striking chemical blueprint with the semisynthetic drug LSD. While LSD is often associated with its countercultural history, it has recently emerged as a focal point of modern clinical research for its potential to treat severe depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and various forms of addiction. By identifying the specific organism responsible for producing the precursors to these effects, Hazel has provided the scientific community with a new map for exploring how these complex chemicals are synthesized in nature.
Hazel, a native of Delaware, Ohio, made the discovery while conducting research within the West Virginia University Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design. Working under the guidance of Daniel Panaccione, a Davis-Michael Professor of Plant and Soil Sciences, Hazel was initially focused on a different aspect of plant biology. Her primary task was to investigate how morning glory plants disperse protective chemicals, known as ergot alkaloids, through their root systems into the surrounding soil. During this process, however, her attention was drawn to a subtle physical detail that others had overlooked for decades.
The discovery was not the result of a high-tech sensor or an automated scan, but rather the keen observation of a dedicated researcher. As Hazel examined the morning glory specimens, she noticed a faint, microscopic presence on the plant’s seeds. The lab was filled with a large volume of plant material, and among the numerous "tiny little seed coats," Hazel spotted what she described as a "little bit of fuzz." This inconspicuous growth turned out to be the hidden fungal partner that scientists had hypothesized existed but could never physically locate or identify.
The relationship between morning glories and fungi is a classic example of symbiosis, a biological partnership where two different organisms live in close physical association, typically to the advantage of both. In this case, the fungus lives within the plant tissues, producing ergot alkaloids that serve as a chemical defense system. These alkaloids are toxic to many insects and herbivores, thereby protecting the plant from being eaten. In exchange, the plant provides the fungus with a stable environment and nutrients. While this relationship was understood in theory, the specific identity of the fungus remained a mystery until Hazel’s intervention.
The historical weight of this discovery cannot be overstated, as it directly addresses a hypothesis first proposed by the Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann. In the late 1930s, Hofmann was working for Sandoz Laboratories when he famously synthesized lysergic acid diethylamide, or LSD, while studying the chemical properties of ergot, a fungus that typically grows on rye and other grains. Hofmann eventually turned his attention to morning glory plants, which were known in indigenous cultures for their psychoactive properties. He successfully identified that the plants contained lysergic acid derivatives very similar to those he had modified to create LSD.
Hofmann suspected that these chemicals were not being produced by the morning glory plant itself, but rather by a "hidden fungus" living within the plant, much like the ergot fungus that grows on rye. Despite his revolutionary work in chemistry, neither Hofmann nor the generations of researchers who followed him were able to find the specific organism responsible. The fungus remained "clandestine," effectively hiding in plain sight within the plant’s anatomy. By naming the new species Periglandula clandestina, Hazel and Panaccione paid homage to this history, acknowledging the organism’s ability to elude scientific detection for more than eighty years.
To confirm that the "fuzz" she found was indeed a new species, Hazel and the research team prepared DNA samples for rigorous analysis. The sequencing of the fungus’s genome was a critical step in the process, funded in part by a WVU Davis College Student Enhancement Grant that Hazel had secured. The results of the sequencing were definitive, confirming that the organism was a unique species never before documented in scientific literature. The genetic sequence has since been deposited into a global gene bank, with Hazel’s name officially attached to the discovery.
Professor Panaccione, who has spent much of his career studying the intersection of fungi and plant biology, emphasized the magnitude of Hazel’s achievement. He noted that for an undergraduate student to lead the way in sequencing a genome and identifying a new species is an extraordinary feat. The discovery was later published in the peer-reviewed journal Mycologia, cementing its place in the formal scientific record.
The pharmaceutical potential of Periglandula clandestina lies in its remarkable efficiency. The fungus is highly adept at producing ergot alkaloids in large quantities. While these chemicals can be dangerous in their raw form—historically causing mass poisonings known as "St. Anthony’s Fire" when consumed via contaminated grain—they are also the foundation for a wide range of essential medicines. Beyond the current interest in psychedelic-assisted therapy for mental health, ergot alkaloids are already utilized in treating migraines, managing Parkinson’s disease, addressing dementia-related symptoms, and controlling uterine hemorrhaging after childbirth.
The primary challenge for medical science has always been the fine line between the therapeutic benefits of these compounds and their potential for toxicity. Many current ergot-based medications carry unwanted side effects due to the complexity of the molecules. Panaccione suggested that by studying Periglandula clandestina, researchers might finally be able to understand the exact biosynthetic pathways the fungus uses to create these chemicals. This knowledge could allow scientists to "bypass the side effects" by modifying the compounds at the molecular level or by developing more precise dosages.
The discovery also has significant implications for agriculture. Because ergot alkaloids can be poisonous to livestock that graze on plants containing these fungi, understanding how the fungus grows and spreads is vital for managing pasture health and ensuring the safety of food supplies. The ability to identify the fungus within the seed coat provides a new starting point for controlling its spread or, conversely, for harnessing its protective qualities in a controlled manner.
Currently, Hazel is continuing her work at West Virginia University, focusing on the practical challenges of working with the new species. Periglandula clandestina is a slow-growing organism, which makes it difficult to culture in a laboratory setting. Hazel is exploring the most effective methods for growing the fungus outside of its host plant, a step that is necessary for any future industrial or pharmaceutical application. Additionally, she has expanded her research to investigate other species of morning glories. She suspects that the fungal diversity within the morning glory family may be much broader than previously thought, and she is looking for other fungal symbiotes that have yet to be described by science.
Reflecting on the discovery, Hazel expressed a sense of gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to a field with such deep historical roots. She noted the element of persistence and timing that often defines scientific breakthroughs, remarking on the fact that while many had searched for this fungus over the decades, her specific approach and attention to the "fuzz" on the seed coats finally yielded the answer.
The work being done in the Panaccione lab represents a convergence of traditional botany, microbiology, and modern genomics. It highlights the importance of student-led research and the value of providing young scientists with the resources to pursue their observations. For Hazel, the discovery is not just an academic milestone but a source of personal pride and a foundation for a career in environmental microbiology.
As the scientific community begins to digest the findings published in Mycologia, the focus will likely shift toward how Periglandula clandestina can be utilized in the next generation of drug development. The "hidden" fungus of the morning glory is no longer a mystery, and its transition from a biological secret to a sequenced and cataloged species marks the beginning of a new chapter in the study of natural products and their role in human health. Through the work of a dedicated student, a door has been opened to a more profound understanding of the complex chemical relationships that exist in the natural world, offering hope for more effective and safer treatments for some of the most challenging conditions in modern medicine.
