‘That’s the link to The Last of Us’: UBC research looks at deadly fungi

Researchers at UBC are looking into the impact of climate change on the spread of harmful fungi – a scenario that features in the plot of the hit HBO show.

Ahead of the highly anticipated second season premiere of HBO’s The Last of Us, UBC researchers are studying the impacts of global warming on certain species of fungi.

“Part of that paper has to do with climate change and warming,” said James Kronstad, professor and microbiologist at UBC’s Michael Smith Laboratories. “And that’s the link to The Last of Us season two.”

The Last of Us, which was shot in Vancouver, is a post-apocalyptic thriller involving mutated fungi that turn people into zombie-like creatures.

“These fungi don’t do this to humans, fortunately,” said Kronstad.

“Most fungi can’t grow at the body temperature that we have. So that protects us to a large extent. But then, on top of that, our immune system is very good at combating fungal pathogens.”

There are harmful fungi species, however, that can cause severe illness and even death.

“We’re looking at a fungal pathogen called cryptococcus neoformans. And this is a fungus that people inhale from the environment. And it’s particularly a problem for people who have HIV/AIDS,” said Kronstad.

“So they’re susceptible to infection by this fungus and it colonizes the lungs first. And then if humans can’t contain it in the lungs, it goes to the brain, causes meningitis and it kills somewhere around 200,000 people a year, mainly in sub-Saharan Africa, where people are suffering already from HIV/AIDS.”

Kronstad also predicts a type of fungi from warmer climates known to cause valley fever could become prominent in BC. “As temperatures increase… the range of this fungus would expand farther north, through North America and maybe making it into places like the Okanagan and British Columbia.”

Kronstad is also studying fungi’s positive uses such as its carbon-capturing capabilities in soil and its potential for medicinal use.

“There are a lot of amazing things fungi can do,” said Kronstad.

He adds that influenza and other viruses are significantly more concerning due to their ability to mutate and spread quickly.