University of North Texas 
Dr. Skellam studies fungal compounds known as specialized metabolites. She has researched these molecules for nearly a decade and recently revisited C. spinosium as part of a broader project.
As farmers and ranchers contend with weather, plant disease, pests and weeds, one researcher at UNT is investigating an unlikely ally in the fight to protect crops.
“We’re studying a specific fungus called Colletotrichum spinosum, which naturally infects one of the world’s most troublesome weeds, the spiny cocklebur,” said Dr. Elizabeth Skellam, an assistant professor in organic chemistry in the College of Science.
The spiny cocklebur is found around the world, including in the United States, China
and Australia. It harms major crops such as corn, tomatoes and soybeans, and is toxic
to humans and livestock.
“Some herbicides can treat it, but they’re quite toxic,” Dr. Skellam said. “If you spray the weed, you may also kill the crops. Right now, there’s no truly safe way to safely control this weed without damaging crops.”
Dr. Skellam studies fungal compounds known as specialized metabolites. Penicillin, a widely used antibiotic, is one example. She has researched these molecules for nearly a decade and recently revisited C. spinosium as part of a broader project.
“We noticed it occupied a specific ecological niche and had potential for this kind of work,” Dr. Skellam said. “A student did a deep literature search and found the topic had been explored in the 1980s but then abandoned.”
According to Dr. Skellam, there is no genetic evidence that the fungus produces the same mycotoxins that usually contaminate crops. She added that earlier research stalled because scientists at the time did not have the tools needed to study the fungus in detail.
“That’ll probably be the most challenging part of this project: identifying all the molecules the fungus can produce,” she said. “First, we’ll grow the fungus under different conditions and match the molecules we find to gene clusters.”
In the second phase, Dr. Skellam and her team will use molecular techniques to activate genes that are normally silent, potentially revealing new or previously undetected compounds. Researchers will then continue testing the fungus to identify the compounds it produces. Their ultimate goal is to use those compounds to develop a safer bioherbicide that skills spiny cocklebur without damaging crops.
Dr. Skellam’s work is supported by a five-year, $1.067 million grant through the National Science Foundation’s Faculty Early Career Development Program. The NSF CAREER Award is the foundation’s highest honor for early-career faculty researchers. Dr. Skellam is the 25th UNT researcher to receive the award.
“When I was writing this proposal, I realized how much work it will take,” she said. “So I’ll also be developing a research course for undergraduate students who can contribute.”
The course will be housed in the Department of Biological Sciences and will focus on cloning and gene expression techniques related to the project. Dr. Skellam expects it to launch in a couple of years once the research team has developed its methodology.
“Having 16 students a year will really accelerate the research while giving them hands-on experience they can take into their careers," she said.
Via UNT News