Mushrooms could hold the key to eradicating disease.
Mushrooms could help to eradicate disease
Excited scientists want humans to treat the discovery of new fungi as seriously as the search to find aliens.
Experts believe there are two million species that are waiting to be identified across the globe and they will provide a new frontier for discovery.
The boffins are hoping to identify 50,000 new types per year that can help the human race cure most diseases.
Professor Alexandre Antonelli, director of science at London's Kew Gardens, said: "Fungi are sustaining our life, our vegetation - they are absolutely crucial for every single animal species.
"Now we have DNA analysis, we are trying to push frontiers. It's quite similar to exploring the outer universe."
Ester Gaya, a senior researcher at Kew, added: "Many human diseases now are shown to be caused by fungus or an imbalance in your fungal community."