Fungal Secondary Metabolites & Natural Products
The chemistry and biology of fungal secondary metabolites, from antibiotics and toxins to pigments, and how they are discovered.
Programme identification
- 1.1Programme name
- Fungal Secondary Metabolites & Natural Products
- 1.2Type of qualification
- Course
- 1.3Provider / endorsing institution
- Fungaris – International Institute of Mycology, School of Mycology & Fungal Science. A Fungaris programme of its own, not endorsed by a university.
- 1.4Mode of study
- Online, with live sessions in a small group, recordings and a virtual campus.
- 1.5Duration (hours / ECTS credits)
- 3 months (12 weeks) · 72 hours in total · 6 modules of 12 hours · 12 live sessions of 2 hours. ECTS credits: not applicable (Fungaris own programme, not an official university degree).
- 1.6Language
- English
- 1.7Start and end dates / intake
- Next intake: 11 January 2027 to 2 April 2027. Enrolment closes on 4 January 2027. Following intake: 8 March 2027. How intakes work →
Overview
2.1Programme description
Fungal Secondary Metabolites & Natural Products explores the chemistry and biology of the small molecules fungi make to compete, defend and communicate. You will compare primary and secondary metabolism, then study the main compound classes: polyketides, non-ribosomal peptides and terpenoids. The course explains how biosynthetic genes are clustered in fungal genomes and how those clusters are regulated, before looking at landmark fungal drugs such as penicillin, statins and ciclosporin. Practical modules cover extraction, isolation and structure elucidation, and modern bioactivity screening strategies.
Fungi remain one of the richest sources of new chemistry, and genome sequencing has revealed that most fungal biosynthetic clusters are silent or uncharacterised. This creates real opportunities for chemists, biologists and pharmaceutical scientists who can bridge biology and chemistry. The course is scientific and does not make therapeutic claims about any product. It suits researchers and industry scientists entering natural product work. In the final project you will prepare a discovery proposal for a fungal metabolite or cluster, covering source organism, biosynthesis, extraction strategy and screening plan.
2.2Why it matters / what need it meets
It meets a practical need: applied, up-to-date knowledge in fungal science, useful in areas such as pharmaceutical research, industrial biotechnology, agrochemical discovery, academic research.
Mycology is moving fast and good practical training is still scarce. This programme gives you a structured path, taught live by people who work in the field, so you can apply what you learn with judgement and safety.
Objectives and competences
3.1General objective
To finish the programme able to apply its content professionally and with judgement. In short:
The chemistry and biology of fungal secondary metabolites, from antibiotics and toxins to pigments, and how they are discovered.
3.2Specific objectives
- Build the foundations: Primary versus Secondary Metabolism in Fungi; Polyketides, Non-ribosomal Peptides and Terpenoids.
- Put them into practice: Biosynthetic Gene Clusters; Fungal Antibiotics, Statins and Immunosuppressants.
- Apply everything to a real case: Extraction, Isolation and Structure Elucidation; Bioactivity Screening and Natural Product Discovery.
- Complete a final project reviewed by your tutor.
3.3Competences you will gain
- Distinguish primary from secondary metabolism and their biological roles.
- Recognise the major classes of fungal secondary metabolites and their biosynthesis.
- Explain how biosynthetic gene clusters are organised and regulated.
- Outline extraction, isolation and structure elucidation workflows.
- Design a basic bioactivity screening and dereplication strategy.
Student profile
4.1Who it is for (entry profile)
Chemists, biologists and pharmaceutical scientists.
4.2Entry requirements
Basic organic chemistry and biology knowledge are recommended. No laboratory equipment is needed.
4.3Career paths (exit profile)
- Natural product chemist
- Research assistant in drug discovery
- Fermentation scientist in biotechnology
- Analytical chemist working with fungal extracts
- Technical specialist in a screening laboratory
Outcomes depend on your experience and on your local market.
Study plan
5.1Overall structure (modules and workload)
| Module | Title | Phase | Topics | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Primary versus Secondary Metabolism in Fungi | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 02 | Polyketides, Non-ribosomal Peptides and Terpenoids | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 03 | Biosynthetic Gene Clusters | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 04 | Fungal Antibiotics, Statins and Immunosuppressants | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 05 | Extraction, Isolation and Structure Elucidation | Application & project | 3 | 12 |
| 06 | Bioactivity Screening and Natural Product Discovery | Application & project | 3 | 12 |
| Total | 72 |
6 modules × 12 hours = 72 hours: 24 hours of live sessions, and the rest for campus study, exercises and the final project.
5.2Content by module
Hover or tap a module to follow the path from the first session to the final project. Open a module to see the topics it covers.
- Roles of secondary metabolites
- Precursors from primary metabolism
- Ecological functions
- Polyketide synthases
- Non-ribosomal peptide synthetases
- Terpene synthases and hybrids
- Cluster organisation in genomes
- Regulation and silent clusters
- Activation strategies
- Beta-lactam antibiotics
- Statins and cholesterol research
- Immunosuppressants and other drugs
- Culture and extraction methods
- Chromatographic isolation
- NMR and mass spectrometry
- Assay design and screening
- Dereplication
- From hit to lead compound
5.3Company placement
This programme does not include a company placement. Practice is built into every module through exercises, case studies and the final project.
5.4Final project
A discovery proposal for a fungal metabolite or gene cluster, including biosynthesis, extraction and screening plans.
Methodology
6.1How it is taught
- Live online sessions, usually weekly, with a working professional and a small group.
- Recordings of every session, so you can catch up if work or time zones get in the way.
- Exercises and real case studies in every module.
- Tutoring: your tutor answers questions and gives feedback on your exercises and project.
6.2Platform and resources
A Moodle virtual campus with session recordings, readings, exercises and forums for each module. You need a computer, an up-to-date browser and a stable connection; a webcam and microphone are recommended.
Technical requirements →6.3Estimated weekly workload
About 6 hours a week for 12 weeks: one 2-hour live session on a weekday evening, plus study and exercises on the campus at your own pace.
Assessment
7.1Assessment system and weighting
Assessment includes participation in live sessions, module exercises such as pathway and spectra analyses, and a final project reviewed by the tutor.
7.2Requirements to pass
- Complete every module, by attending the live sessions or watching the recordings.
- Hand in the module exercises.
- Have your final project approved by your tutor.
Teaching team
8.1Academic direction
At Fungaris, the Fungal Science school coordinates the content and quality of this programme. The academic director of each intake is named in the intake guide.
8.2Faculty
Taught by professionals who work in the field. The tutor for each intake is confirmed before the start.
Meet our faculty →Certificate
9.1Certificate awarded
Course Certificate
On completing the programme and its project, Fungaris issues a Course Certificate. Fungaris certificates are the institute's own. Whether an employer, school or authority recognises them depends on that organisation and on local rules in each country.
9.2Issuing body / recognition
Issued by Fungaris (operated by Nexora Generation, S.L.) as a digital certificate. It is a Fungaris certificate of its own: it is not an official university degree and does not award ECTS credits.
About our certificates →Admission and enrolment
10.1Admission process (steps)
- Send your request through the form or write to admissions.
- Admissions reviews your profile and confirms the start date, the session schedule and the fee.
- You secure your place with full payment or a 40% reservation.
- You receive your campus access and welcome guide before the first session.
10.2Documents required
- A valid identity document.
- Contact and billing details (personal or company).
10.3Deadlines
Enrolment for the intake starting on 11 January 2027 is open until 4 January 2027, or until the group is full (maximum 20 students).
10.4Fee and payment options
Fee: £340
- Full payment before the start: £272 (20% reduction).
- 40% reservation (£136) and 3 monthly instalments of £68.
10.5Grants, discounts and funding
Discounts: 10% for Fungaris alumni and 15% for groups of three or more people from the same organisation. Discounts cannot be combined with each other or with the full-payment reduction.
Your employer can pay for the programme and receive the invoice in the company name. Whether a public or employer training budget can cover the fee depends on your country, so check with them.
10.6Cancellation policy
The conditions for cancelling, withdrawing or moving to a later intake are explained in our cancellation policy and in your enrolment confirmation. Nothing there limits your rights under the consumer law that applies to you.
Cancellation and refunds →Additional information
11.1Frequently asked questions
Do I need experience to study Fungal Secondary Metabolites & Natural Products?
Basic organic chemistry and biology knowledge are recommended. No laboratory equipment is needed.
How is Fungal Secondary Metabolites & Natural Products taught?
Live online, in 6 modules with a working professional, a small group and a final project.
How am I assessed?
Assessment includes participation in live sessions, module exercises such as pathway and spectra analyses, and a final project reviewed by the tutor.
What is the final project?
A discovery proposal for a fungal metabolite or gene cluster, including biosynthesis, extraction and screening plans.
What certificate do I get?
On completing the programme and its project, Fungaris issues a Course Certificate. Fungaris certificates are the institute's own. Whether an employer, school or authority recognises them depends on that organisation and on local rules in each country.
What can I study after Fungal Secondary Metabolites & Natural Products?
The natural next step is Diploma in Applied Mycology.
11.2Alumni testimonials
We only publish verified testimonials from real students. This programme does not have any published yet; they will appear here once its first intakes finish.
11.3Admissions contact
Write to info@fungaris.institute or use the contact form. Admissions answers in your language.
Read before you start.
Fungal ScienceMushroom Microscopy for Beginners: Equipment and TechniquesA microscope opens a hidden world of spores, basidia and cystidia. Here is the equipment you need, the basic techniques and the safety rules for reagents.Read the article 
Fungal ScienceHow to Become a Mycologist: Paths, Skills and CareersFungi are moving from niche to mainstream, in food, materials, medicine and conservation. Here is how people actually build a career working with them.Read the article Keep branching.
From our species guide.
Not a foodBirch polyporeFomitopsis betulinaPolypores and brackets
PoisonousCommon ink capCoprinopsis atramentariaGilled mushrooms
Deadly poisonousDeath capAmanita phalloidesGilled mushrooms
Deadly poisonousDestroying angelAmanita virosaGilled mushrooms
Deadly poisonousFalse morelGyromitra esculentaMorels and cup fungi
PoisonousFly agaricAmanita muscariaGilled mushrooms
Deadly poisonousFool's webcapCortinarius orellanusGilled mushrooms
PoisonousJack-o'-lantern mushroomOmphalotus oleariusGilled mushroomsJoin the next intake.
Pay in full with a 20% reduction, or reserve your place with 40% and pay the rest in monthly instalments. All prices are stated in pounds sterling (GBP).