Latest news with #F.graminearum
Epoch Times
2 days ago
- Health
- Epoch Times
Fusarium Graminearum: The Fungus Allegedly Smuggled by Chinese Researchers—and Its Risks
A fungus called Fusarium graminearum has made headlines after two Chinese researchers were charged by the FBI for allegedly smuggling it into the United States as a potential agroterrorism agent. But what exactly is this fungus—and what risks does it pose to U.S. agriculture and public health? A Common Cause of Crop Disease F. graminearum is a concerning fungus, as it can contribute to billions of dollars in agricultural losses, Gary Bergstrom, professor emeritus at Cornell University specializing in plant pathology, told The Epoch Times.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
Fungus in "agroterrorism" arrest already widely prevalent in U.S., researcher says
The fungus labeled a "potential agroterrorism weapon" in a recent arrest touted by the Trump administration likely originated in North America and is already widely prevalent around the country, a researcher who studied the fungus for the federal government says. University of Michigan researcher Yunqing Jian and her boyfriend, Zunyong Liu, were charged with trying to smuggle strains of a fungus called Fusarium graminearum into the United States. Jian worked at the University of Michigan, according to officials, and Liu works at a Chinese university. The two have co-authored research into the fungus. "I can confirm that the FBI arrested a Chinese national within the United States who allegedly smuggled a dangerous biological pathogen into the country," FBI Director Kash Patel said Tuesday in a post on X. According to charging documents in the case, Liu told customs officers he was trying to continue his research with the strains at the University of Michigan lab that Jian worked in, skirting the rules that require paperwork and safeguards to safely import fungi for studies. F. graminearum is already widely prevalent across the U.S. in native grasses around the country as well as crops, scientists say. It spreads and thrives usually during wet weather, causing a common crop disease called Fusarium head blight or head scab, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service. "It's extremely prevalent in North America. It likely arose in North America, so it's not like a foreign agent coming in. And it's already causing a lot of problems in U.S. agriculture," Harold Kistler, an adjunct professor at the University of Minnesota, told CBS News. Kistler said scientists believe F. graminearum likely originated in North America, because all of its closest relatives have been found on the continent. "Graminearum itself is distributed worldwide, and likely because of the distribution of grain from North America worldwide," he said. Kistler previously worked as a researcher for the USDA's Agricultural Research Service, studying fungi like F. graminearum and the crop disease it causes. While at the agency, he co-authored research with Liu and Jian uncovering new molecular clues to how the disease might be mitigated. "It's a real problem. The problem is because there's no naturally occurring resistance to the disease. And people have been trying for decades to find resistance. It's just a tough nut to crack," Kistler said of the head blight caused by F. graminearum. Farmers in the U.S. rely on a number of methods to mitigate the risk of F. graminearum, including the use of fungicides, though scientists have worried about the possibility of mutations that could make the fungicides less effective. "The fungicides are not cheap. So it's extra cost to farmers. But it's worth it because, without it, their crops could be completely lost. Not only due to yield reduction, but because what grain they may have would be contaminated with these toxins," Kistler said. Billions of dollars were lost to epidemics caused by the fungus in the 1990s, researchers and agriculture officials estimate. The Food and Drug Administration monitors for the toxins that are produced by fungi like F. graminearum, including deoxynivalenol, also called vomitoxin or DON, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea in humans who ingest too much of it. "It is not possible to completely avoid the presence of DON in wheat. DON is sometimes found in wheat grown under normal weather conditions, however, the fungus thrives in cool, wet conditions," the FDA said in a 2010 advisory to states and grain groups. Kistler said U.S. distributors also test grain for the presence of the toxins to prevent there being too much of it in the food supply. "If it's too high, they will reject it. They won't buy it. Or they will reduce the amount that they'll pay for it. If it's just marginal, they can blend it with grain that doesn't have the toxin to get below the limit of what's considered safe," he said. Sneak peek: Where is Jermain Charlo? Baldwin grills McMahon on unallocated funds for students, schools, approved by Congress Hegseth orders Navy to rename USNS Harvey Milk, Jeffries calls it "a complete and total disgrace"
Indian Express
6 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
US charges Chinese nationals for smuggling toxic fungus: How does it impact your body?
The United States (US) has charged two Chinese nationals with smuggling a toxic fungus into the country. Called Fusarium graminearum, the fungus is known to cause head blight in crops such as wheat, barley and oats — a disease that significantly affects the yield of the crops. The director of US' Federal Bureau of Investigation Kash Patel called it an 'agro-terrorism agent' that is 'responsible for billions of dollars in economic losses worldwide each year.' What's the row all about? Two Chinese researchers — Jian Yunqing (33) and Liu Zunyong (34) — have been charged with conspiracy, smuggling goods into the country, false statements and visa fraud. Jian allegedly tried to smuggle the plant to a University of Michigan laboratory where she works. Her boyfriend Liu, who now works at a Chinese university, was reportedly sent back to China in 2024, after changing his story during an interrogation. At first, he claimed ignorance about the samples and later said he was planning to use it for research at the same University of Michigan laboratory, where Jian was working and where he used to work earlier. What is Fusarium graminearum? It is a fungus that affects the kernel development of various grains, thereby reducing the yield. It can also cause ear rot or stalk rot in maize crops. Once infected, the fungus continues to spread as the crop matures. It is known to survive in plant tissue residues like small grain stems and roots and infect new plants. It affects farm income in two ways. One, it reduces crop yield and lowers the market grade of the crop, leading to economic losses for the farmer. Two, the fungus is also known to produce mycotoxins that can be harmful for humans and animals when they consume it. How does it impact human health? While it does not directly infect humans, the fungus is known to produce mycotoxins — secondary metabolites (end products of biochemical processes) that are of significance to the fungal growth but may be harmful to humans. One of the mycotoxins called deoxynivalenol or DON can lead to vomitting in humans and animals. Levels of vomitoxin exceeding 1 ppm are unfit for human consumption and levels exceeding 5 ppm are unfit for livestock consumption. Some of the other mycotoxins may also be linked to decline of immunity, abortion or cancers. Is this fungus seen in India? It is an emerging threat across the wheat belt in India, especially due to climate change. A 2021 study by ICAR said that Extensive disease surveys undertaken in Himachal Pradesh and Tamil Nadu during 2010–20 revealed the dominance of F. graminearum causing head blight or scab in the wheat grain. A field survey conducted in the Rabi season between 2021 and 2022 showed head blight in northern parts of Karnataka. The study was conducted by the University of Agricultural Sciences in Karnataka. Anonna Dutt is a Principal Correspondent who writes primarily on health at the Indian Express. She reports on myriad topics ranging from the growing burden of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension to the problems with pervasive infectious conditions. She reported on the government's management of the Covid-19 pandemic and closely followed the vaccination programme. Her stories have resulted in the city government investing in high-end tests for the poor and acknowledging errors in their official reports. Dutt also takes a keen interest in the country's space programme and has written on key missions like Chandrayaan 2 and 3, Aditya L1, and Gaganyaan. She was among the first batch of eleven media fellows with RBM Partnership to End Malaria. She was also selected to participate in the short-term programme on early childhood reporting at Columbia University's Dart Centre. Dutt has a Bachelor's Degree from the Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication, Pune and a PG Diploma from the Asian College of Journalism, Chennai. She started her reporting career with the Hindustan Times. When not at work, she tries to appease the Duolingo owl with her French skills and sometimes takes to the dance floor. ... Read More
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
What is Fusarium graminearum, the fungus that 2 Chinese nationals allegedly used to target US food security?
Two Chinese nationals – a woman and her boyfriend – have been charged by the US Department of Justice for allegedly smuggling a dangerous biological pathogen, Fusarium graminearum, into the United States for research at a University of Michigan lab. The Justice Department identified the accused as Yunqing Jian, 33, and Zunyong Liu, 34. They face charges including conspiracy, smuggling goods into the US, providing false statements, and visa fraud. According to the complaint, Jian received funding from the Chinese government for her research on the pathogen in China. Investigators also found information on her electronic devices indicating her membership in and loyalty to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The complaint further said that Liu, Jian's boyfriend, is affiliated with a Chinese university where he also studies the same pathogen. Jian initially denied but later admitted to bringing Fusarium graminearum into the US via Detroit Metropolitan Airport to conduct research at the University of Michigan, where she was employed. According to ScienceDirect, 'Fusarium graminearum Schwabe' is the main pathogen behind Fusarium head blight (FHB) in small cereals and Gibberella ear and stalk rot in maize, particularly in regions like Canada, the US, China, and parts of Europe. Although it thrives in warm, humid conditions, it can cause widespread crop damage, leading to major yield losses and reduced quality. The US Department of Justice, in its official release, noted that scientific literature classifies Fusarium graminearum as a potential 'agroterrorism' weapon (agroterrorism, also called agriterrorism, is the deliberate use of plant or animal pathogens to damage a population's agriculture or food supply). The fungus causes "head blight" in wheat, barley, maize, and rice, contributing to billions in economic losses globally. It also produces toxins that can trigger vomiting, liver damage, and reproductive issues in both humans and livestock. It triggers billions in crop losses yearly. Fusarium graminearum infects wheat spikes beginning at anthesis through the soft dough stage of kernel development, and this results in the production of visibly damaged seeds that are chalky white (scabby) and shriveled (tombstones) or symptomless seeds that can also be contaminated with mycotoxins. In maize, however, infection takes place through silks (near emergence) and wounds in young cobs, and infected kernels usually display a pink to reddish mold. Silks are highly susceptible 2–6 days after emergence; kernels are susceptible until physiological maturity. Fusarium graminearum infects plants by entering through natural openings like stomata. After breaching the cuticle, the fungus spreads throughout the plant systemically. To break down the plant's structural barriers, F. graminearum relies on a coordinated set of enzymes that degrade the middle lamella and cell walls. The production of these enzymes, specifically xylanolytic and glucanolytic types, is regulated by a signalling pathway involving Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK). The infection begins with a biotrophic phase, where the fungus feeds on living cells, and then shifts to a necrotrophic phase, likely linked to the production of toxic compounds. One such toxin is deoxynivalenol (DON), a trichothecene mycotoxin commonly found in infected cereal grains. DON is essential for the fungus to spread, as it disrupts protein synthesis and damages vital cell structures like plasma membranes, chloroplasts, and ribosomes, eventually leading to plant cell death. During this process, the fungus also neutralises plant toxins and defence proteins, helping it to survive and colonise host tissue.
