Characterizing anti-inflammatory properties of medicinal mushrooms

Medicinal mushrooms possess compounds with beneficial properties, including anti-microbial, anti-tumoral, and anti-inflammatory, which support their role and application in current healthcare practices. In this proposal, we will measure the impact and role of extracts from medicinal mushrooms provided by Wake Network Inc. to identify how immune cells and an animal model change their response to a biological challenge in the presence of the extracted compounds. We aim to identify opportunities to use medicinal mushrooms to positively regulate the host inflammatory response to an adverse environment, supporting the application of the mushrooms produced by Wake Network Inc. as natural therapeutic options. The information gained from this study will permit the tailoring of medical treatments with mushroom extracts, depending on the status of the host, and inform the mechanistic changes within the host upon treatment.

Faculty Supervisor:

Jennifer Geddes-McAlister;Bryan Crawford

Student:

Partner:

Wake Network Inc.

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

University of Guelph; University of New Brunswick

Program: