First Genetic Profile of an Aspergillus Section

A team of scientists out of the Technical University of Denmark presented the first sequence analysis of a fungal subgroup of Aspergillus.

A team of scientists out of the Technical University of Denmark presented the first sequence analysis of a fungal subgroup of Aspergillus. This genus plays a key role in agriculture, fermentation, biotechnology, and health, serving as the “Swiss Army knife of fungal genera,” said co-author Scott Baker.

Researchers looked at 23 genomes of section Nigri species, including A. heteromorphus, A. aculeatinus, A. iberucus, and multiple A. niger isolates. Thousands of new genes were classified, paying special interest to those involved in secondary metabolism, as they are significant in Aspergillus species delineation. By comparing across section Nigri, a genetic profile can be built and connected to known phenotypic characteristics of the group. In this future, this knowledge can be applied to industries that Aspergillus species play a role in. For example, author Mikael Andersen from the Technical University of Denmark claims that there is a possibility of identifying “new unique enzymes or to link an interesting bioactive compound to the biosynthetic genes.” Section Nigri was chosen because the group encompasses many species with industrial applications, with several acting as production organisms for enzymes.

This is the start of a long-term project comparing the genomes of more than 300 Aspergillus fungi. One of their main goals is to catalog carbohydrate active enzymes (CAzymes) that could aid in the production of sustainable fuel.

References:

  1. DOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. “Genetic profile for a section of Aspergillus fungi: Researchers build a genetic profile for a section of Aspergillus fungi.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 22 October 2018.
  2. Tammi C. Vesth, Jane L. Nybo, Sebastian Theobald, Jens C. Frisvad, Thomas O. Larsen, Kristian F. Nielsen, Jakob B. Hoof, Julian Brandl, Asaf Salamov, Robert Riley, John M. Gladden, Pallavi Phatale, Morten T. Nielsen, Ellen K. Lyhne, Martin E. Kogle, Kimchi Strasser, Erin McDonnell, Kerrie Barry, Alicia Clum, Cindy Chen, Kurt LaButti, Sajeet Haridas, Matt Nolan, Laura Sandor, Alan Kuo, Anna Lipzen, Matthieu Hainaut, Elodie Drula, Adrian Tsang, Jon K. Magnuson, Bernard Henrissat, Ad Wiebenga, Blake A. Simmons, Miia R. Mäkelä, Ronald P. de Vries, Igor V. Grigoriev, Uffe H. Mortensen, Scott E. Baker, Mikael R. Andersen. Investigation of inter- and intraspecies variation through genome sequencing of Aspergillus section Nigri. Nature Genetics, 2018; DOI: 10.1038/s41588-018-0246-1

Did you find this article useful?

You Might Also Be Interested In

Tag List
  • bonito lab mycology news,
  • bonito lab
  • follow us on instagram
Michigan State University
  • Spartans Will.
  • © Michigan State University

MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer, committed to achieving excellence through a diverse workforce and inclusive culture that encourages all people to reach their full potential.

Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Quentin Tyler, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. This information is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.

The 4-H Name and Emblem have special protections from Congress, protected by code 18 USC 707.

We comply with the Federal Trade Commission 1998 Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).