Molecular and Cell Biology Methods for Fungi

With the development of fungal transformation systems and the deciphering of an increasing number of fungal genomes, this diverse clade of heterotrophic eukaryotic organisms has proven to be ideal for molecular work and highly serviceable as model systems

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Molecular Biology™

Series Editor John M. Walker School of Life Sciences University of Hertfordshire Hatfield, Hertfordshire, AL10 9AB, UK



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Molecular and Cell Biology Methods for Fungi Edited by

Amir Sharon Department of Plant Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel

Editor Amir Sharon, Ph.D. Department of Plant Sciences Tel Aviv University Tel Aviv Israel [email protected]

ISSN 1064-3745 e-ISSN 1940-6029 ISBN 978-1-60761-610-8 e-ISBN 978-1-60761-611-5 DOI 10.1007/978-1-60761-611-5 Springer New York Dordrecht Heidelberg London Library of Congress Control Number: 2010923232 © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2010 All rights reserved. This work may not be translated or copied in whole or in part without the written permission of the publisher (Humana Press, c/o Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, 233 Spring Street, New York, NY 10013, USA), except for brief excerpts in connection with reviews or scholarly analysis. Use in connection with any form of information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or ­dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed is forbidden. The use in this publication of trade names, trademarks, service marks, and similar terms, even if they are not identified as such, is not to be taken as an expression of opinion as to whether or not they are subject to proprietary rights. While the advice and information in this book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of going to press, ­neither the authors nor the editors nor the publisher can accept any legal responsibility for any errors or omissions that may be made. The publisher makes no warranty, express or implied, with respect to the material contained herein. Printed on acid-free paper Springer Science+Business Media (www.springer.com)

Preface The kingdom Fungi constitutes an independent group equal in rank to that of plants and animals. It is a diverse clade of heterotrophic eukaryotic organisms that shares some characteristics with animals and includes mushrooms, molds, yeasts as well as many other types of less well known organisms. Approximately 100,000 species have been described, which comprise less than 10% of the estimated number of fungal species in nature. Fungi can be found in every place wherever adequate moisture, temperature, and organic substrates are available; however, they also occupy extreme habitats, from hot volcanoes to arctic zones, arid deserts, and deep oceans. The importance of fungi as a group is tremendous; most species are saprobes and play prime roles in decomposition and the recycling of organic matter and nutrients, and many of them produce enzymes and metabolites with important applications in pharmacology, biotechnology, and other industries. Alongside the positive aspects, fungi also cause huge damage, primarily as plant pathogens. Fungi are highly amenable to molecular work, and a few fungal species serve as model systems to study basic proce