Avi Blizovsky
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First genome of a filamentous fungus is deciphered
This is a study by about 70 researchers from 6 countries, among them Prof. Oded Jordan from the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences of the Hebrew University, which was published this weekend in the prestigious journal Nature
Prof. Jordan: "Decoding the first complete genome sequence of a filamentous fungus is a breakthrough for a deeper understanding of the genetic basis of the representative of the mushroom kingdom"
77 researchers from 7 countries in the world, among them Prof. Oded Jordan from the Faculty of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences of the Hebrew University, deciphered the first genome of a filamentous fungus. This fungus was used as a basis for determining the relationship between genes and proteins (a Nobel Prize was awarded for this discovery about 50 years ago). This research was published over the weekend in the prestigious journal Nature.
"Decoding the first full genome sequence of a filamentous fungus is a breakthrough for a deeper understanding of the genetic basis of a representative of the kingdom of fungi. The findings have implications for other living beings, including humans (many of the basic cellular processes in fungi are the same as those that occur in animals, a fact that enables the advancement of research in parallel research systems). In addition, it was found that a significant number of human genes for which it is known that defects in them may cause diseases, have parallels in the fungus. The convenience and speed with which research can be carried out in fungi will allow the acceleration of research on the structure and function of these genes, information that will drive therapeutic intervention in the future. Decoding the genome sequence allows access to a database through which it is possible to study and understand the processes of growth, development and culture of this fungus and fungi similar to it."
"Decoding the genome opens the door to extensive future activity. According to the information currently available, about 40% of the genes found do not have corresponding genes in any other organism. It is likely that among the many genes unique to the fungus, it will be possible to activate certain genes to create antifungal substances that will be used in medicine and agriculture."
"In addition, genetic mapping has broken a path for intervention in development processes and protein production in the filamentous fungus and other fungi. This fact has many potential meanings in the field of biotechnology. It is possible and in the future it will be possible to change and improve natural products produced by fungi such as antibiotic drugs. Mushrooms could be used as "factories" for proteins, to improve the production of hormones artificially."
According to Prof. Oded Yordan: "Items from the mushroom kingdom, which numbers more than a million types of mushrooms, inhabit every known niche. There are fungi and among them various molds that cause diseases in humans, animals and plants. There are fungi that produce toxins, some of which have the potential to be used as a means of biological warfare. There are fungi that produce substances with "positive" activity such as substances from which antibiotic drugs can be derived. Certain mushrooms are "factories" for proteins used in industry, such as: an ingredient
The "bio" (the enzyme used to break down fats and proteins) in the washing powders, in many cases, originates from fungi. There is, of course, also a variety of edible mushrooms."
"The genetic mapping shows that the fungus has about 10,000 genes, a number that is between half and a quarter of the number of genes estimated to exist in humans, and almost double that of bacteria. Based on the deciphering of the perfect sequence and the analysis of "gene families" it can be seen that the filamentous fungus has a number of highly effective mechanisms that protect the genome from foreign intrusion by factors such as viruses and other genetic factors that contain foreign DNA and prevent the establishment of these factors, so that they do not use up the resources of the fungus And harm her."
"One of the notable surprises we received is the fact that the filamentous fungus, which is not considered to cause diseases, contains a significant number of genes that have so far only been known in fungi that cause diseases. This result raises many questions about the evolution of fungi, including the transition between parasitic and independent lifestyles in fungi", Prof. Jordan concludes.
The genome scientist - plants
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