Characterization and evolution of psychoactive and medicinal ergot alkaloids in African species of Ipomoea (Convolvulaceae) Ghent University
Ergot Alkaloids (EAs) are bioactive compounds with medicinal and psychoactive properties, which are produced through a unique heritable fungi-plant symbiosis, only known to occur in grasses and morning glories (Ipomoea). The diversification of EAs in East African Ipomoea will be investigated, towards novel insights into the evolution of heritable fungal-plant symbiosis and EA diversification in Eudicotyledons.