Terra nova
The fungi constitute its own kingdom of organisms, more related to animals than to plants. About 72000 species of fungi have been described worldwide, but since the mycologists are so few, 1.5 million species remain to be described (Dictionary of Fungi). The knowledge about mushroom physiology or mushroom chemistry is of course even less understood. No university in Sweden has mycology as an independent subject, but we believe that among these poorly known organisms we shall make the most important future discoveries of biological and chemical products.
What is Forum Fungorum?
Forum Fungorum is a vision where PhD researchers within molecular systematics, ecology, physiology/cultivation, pharmacognosy, toxicology and food and nutrition will work together under one physical roof. The research focus will be on mushrooms of tentative importance to food and medicine. We shall focuse on other species but the six most common genera that constitute 90% of the world production.
Forum Fungorum will in addition to the scientific Mushroom Research Laboratory, also contain an advanced educational centre with a public museum and mycoretum (mushroom garden).
The research network Forum Fungorum was opened by H.R.H. Crown princess Victoria on September 14, 2007. This network is coordinated by the foundation, and the foundation continues its efforts to raise funds for a physical building. In addition to the reference group below, the network also includes Dr Fumito Sasaki from Hokkaido University, Dr Eskil Elmér from Lund University, Dr Christina Wedén from Uppsala University and Professor Anna-Karin Borg-Karlsson from the Royal Instituite of Technology, Stockholm. The first volume of Opera Mycologica has also been published. We are also proud to publish the entire study (pdf) on Tanzanian mushroom cultivation by Professor Amelia Kivaisi from the University of Dar es Salaam.
Reference group
Ass. Prof. Eric Danell, Uppsala University – Coordinator, Physiology
Associate Prof. Håkan Wallander, Lund University – Ecology
Professor Lars Bohlin, Uppsala University – Pharmacognosy
Associate Prof. Anders Backlund, Uppsala University – Pharmacognosy
Professor Åke Bruce, SLV – Food and nutrition
Associate Prof. Christer Andersson, SLV – Toxicology
Professor Margaretha Jägerstad, SLU – Food and Nutrition
MSc Elisabeth Bååth, Umeå University – Education and Physiology
Other experts
Professor Carl Jan Granqvist, Grythyttan
PhD Karin Martinsson, The Botanical gardens, Uppsala University
PhD Staffan Thorman, Museum of Natural History, Stockholm
The governor Anders Björck appointed the Karljohan Foundation to coordinate the mushroom days during the Linnaeus Jubilee 2007.
The research network Forum Fungorum and the journal Opera Mycologica was opened by H.R.H. Crown Princess Victoria on September 14, 2007. The Crown Princess also awarded the five studies below with the diploma “Outstanding Mycological Research of Benefit to Society”. Fumito Sasaki from the University of Hokkaido received the Nils Stormby Linnaeus scholarship.
Opera Mycologica volume 1, 81 pp (pdf). Content:
Hans-Henrik Kristensen
On the success with Plectasin – a new antibiotic from a mushroom.
Amelia Kivaisi
Mushroom cultivation in Tanzania – a new industry.
The entire study (pdf) on Tanzanian mushroom cultivation is found here.
Jeanne D. Mihail and Johann N. Bruhn
Bioluminescence is widespread within the Kingdom of Fungi.
Saisamorn Lumyong, Rarunee Sanmee and Pipob Lumyong
Is large scale cultivation of boletes possible?
Zhuming Tan, Airong Shen, Shaochun Fu
Successful cultivation of Lactarius hatsutake.
Christina Wedén
Research on Choiromyces venosus – a new delicacy?
Eric Danell
Om svensk svampexport år 1820.
Eric Danell
Handledargenealogi (2004-1454): från Wedén via Linné till Andronicus Callistus.
The Karljohan Foundation was founded at Uppsala castle on the 4th of October, 2005. The purpose is to support holistic scientific research and education on edible and medicinal mushrooms.
By directing resources on such unknown organisms, research, industry and knowledge will be boosted.
We do not accept submitted applications for research funding. Instead we find, evaluate and select projects.
Currently we invest private funding in Forum Fungorum (Svampforum in Swedish). The reference group represent Uppsala University, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Lund University, Umeå University and the National Food Administration. Companies, private people and foundations are welcome to support the plans for Forum Fungorum. The Karljohan Foundation welcomes sponsors, donors and wills. Kindly contact the director for further information.
To establish Forum Fungorum, which will be unique in the world, private and governmental funding is needed. The Karljohan Foundation is therefore open to sponsors, donors and wills.
In a short period of time, Forum Fungorum has received several million SEK from private donors. The research council FORMAS has added another 2.1 million SEK to build up a network of research on Choiromyces venosus. The county government supported the mushroom meeting in September 2007 with 50 000 SEK. Nils Stormby contributed with a Linnaeus scholarship (100 000 SEK) that was given to Fumito Sasaki on September 14, 2007. We have also received a book donation from Mona Hellkvist and scientific journals from Lennart Holm. Uppsala university has contributed with lab material and support of the Linnaeus tricentennial.
The Karljohan Foundation wants to acknowledge the following donors:
Hildur Nordins Minnesfond
The research council FORMAS (aimed at Uppsala University)
Nils Stormby, Malmö
The county government
Uppsala University
Funginova AB
Gotlandstryffel AB
Cantharellus AB
AIMEX AB
Svampkonsulenternas Riksförbund
Svenska svampodlarföreningen
Ugerups champinjonodling
Uppsala svampklubb
Doris Brändström. Ånäset
Mona Hellkvist, Saltsjöbaden
Lennart Holm, Uppsala
Roland Moberg, Uppsala