Photo: Katrín Níelsdóttir
The University of Manitoba and the University of Iceland have embarked on a unique scientific partnership, backed by a prestigious NSERC Alliance International Grant – the first of its kind awarded to the University of Manitoba. This exciting collaboration, which also benefits from Icelandic funding through RANNÍS, will explore the intricate mysteries of lichen biology and their natural products. The project promises to advance our understanding of these remarkable organisms and their potential applications.
But this collaboration goes beyond scientific curiosity – it also draws upon a long history of cultural ties between Manitoba and Iceland, a connection that has shaped both regions for over a century.
Historical ties: Manitoba and Iceland
The connection between Manitoba and Iceland dates to the late 19th century, when Icelandic immigrants, fleeing the harsh conditions caused by volcanic eruptions and poverty, began settling in Manitoba. In 1875, the first group of Icelanders arrived, establishing the settlement of New Iceland along the western shore of Lake Winnipeg. This area, now known as Gimli, remains a central hub for Icelandic Canadian culture.
For over 140 years, this small but tight-knit community has maintained strong ties with Iceland, keeping cultural traditions alive and fostering ongoing exchanges between the two regions. Festivals such as Íslendingadagurinn, or the Icelandic Festival of Manitoba, have become annual celebrations of Icelandic heritage, attracting visitors from across Canada and Iceland alike.
The bond between Manitoba and Iceland has grown beyond cultural preservation. Today, it extends into academic, artistic, and scientific collaborations, much like the current partnership between the University of Manitoba and the University of Iceland. This latest venture, funded by international research grants, continues the tradition of collaboration by tapping into the strengths and expertise of both regions.
A new era of collaboration
The three-year research project, led by Professor John Sorensen from the University of Manitoba and Professor Elín Ólafsdóttir from the University of Iceland, aims to investigate natural product biosynthesis in lichen fungi. Lichens, which have fascinated scientists for years due to their unique ability to remain dormant and then reawaken when conditions are right, are now the subject of this joint effort. These organisms, found in abundance in both Manitoba and Iceland, are known to produce biologically active molecules that could have pharmaceutical potential.
“This collaboration marks a significant step forward for both institutions,” said Professor Sorensen. “It builds on years of individual research and shared interest between our teams, particularly in natural products biosynthesis. By bringing together expertise from both sides, we’re creating an opportunity to delve deeper into the chemistry, ecology, and biology of lichen fungi.”
The collaboration has been years in the making, with its roots tracing back to a 2019 conference hosted in Iceland. Sorensen and his team found that their research interests aligned with those of the University of Iceland, particularly in exploring how lichens produce unique molecules, like the intriguing yellow compound known as usnic acid.
A Deeper Dive into Lichen Chemistry
Usnic acid is one of the focal points of the research, with the team investigating how it’s produced and its biological activity. Remarkably, usnic acid exists in two mirror-image forms, or “enantiomers,” which are produced in different amounts depending on the species of lichen. Some species of lichen produce only one enantiomer, some produce exclusively the other enantiomer, and some others produce an unequal mixture of both. This has fascinating ecological implications – reindeer, for example, have been observed to avoid eating lichen that produce only one enantiomer.
“It has been discovered that the different mirror-image forms of usnic acid have slightly different biological activities,” Sorensen explained. “Our goal is to understand which species of lichen produce which enantiomer and how this is connected to the way the molecules are made.”
Exchange programs and student opportunities
The grant supports not just the research but also an exciting exchange program between the two institutions. Over the next three years, the program will fund two Ph.D. students in Iceland and a graduate student and post-doctoral fellow in Manitoba, promoting rich cross-cultural and academic collaboration. Students from both countries will have the chance to work together on the same project, leveraging the expertise of their mentors while gaining international research experience.
One student, who previously worked on a similar lichen project at the University of Manitoba, expressed enthusiasm about continuing their work in Iceland. “I’m most excited about learning from the people there and contributing my small part to advance the project to the next level,” they shared.
Looking to the future
This collaboration represents not only a leap forward in lichen research but also a pioneering model of international scientific cooperation. As the two universities join forces, they are not only addressing fundamental questions about lichen biology but also continuing the tradition of collaboration between Manitoba and Iceland. In many ways, this project symbolizes the enduring connection between the two regions, combining modern scientific inquiry with a shared history of cultural and academic exchange.
For more information about this project, contact Professor John Sorensen at the Department of Chemistry, University of Manitoba, at