Genetic manipulation of the microcolonial black fungus Knufia petricola
- Microcolonial black fungi, a polyphyletic group of ascomycetes, exhibit constitutive melanin formation, yeast-like growth and high stress tolerances. They dominate – often together with bacteria and algae in sub-aerial biofilms – a range of hostile environments including natural and man-made ones, from salterns to dishwashers, roofs and solar panels. Because of lacking genetic tools and the slow growth of most isolates, the genetic bases for these specific properties are largely unknown. The rock-inhabiting fungus Knufia petricola (Eurotiomycetes, Chaetothyriales) exhibits all characteristics of microcolonial black fungi and was selected as recipient for genetic engineering to study gene functions and genetic interactions. Different variants of green and red fluorescent proteins were successfully expressed indicating that fluorescence microscopy using genetically encoded fluorescent proteins and fluorescent dyes enables various cell biology approaches. Furthermore, genes ofMicrocolonial black fungi, a polyphyletic group of ascomycetes, exhibit constitutive melanin formation, yeast-like growth and high stress tolerances. They dominate – often together with bacteria and algae in sub-aerial biofilms – a range of hostile environments including natural and man-made ones, from salterns to dishwashers, roofs and solar panels. Because of lacking genetic tools and the slow growth of most isolates, the genetic bases for these specific properties are largely unknown. The rock-inhabiting fungus Knufia petricola (Eurotiomycetes, Chaetothyriales) exhibits all characteristics of microcolonial black fungi and was selected as recipient for genetic engineering to study gene functions and genetic interactions. Different variants of green and red fluorescent proteins were successfully expressed indicating that fluorescence microscopy using genetically encoded fluorescent proteins and fluorescent dyes enables various cell biology approaches. Furthermore, genes of biosynthetic pathways (DHN melanin, carotenoids, uracil, adenine) were successfully mutated by applying traditional gene replacement and plasmid-based or ribonucleoprotein (RNP)-based CRISPR/Cas9 or silenced by RNA interference (RNAi). The availability of this advanced and efficient genetic toolbox and the annotated genome sequence of strain A95 makes K. petricola an excellent model for exploring the secrets of microcolonial black fungi.…
Autor*innen: | Julia SchumacherORCiD |
---|---|
Dokumenttyp: | Vortrag |
Veröffentlichungsform: | Präsentation |
Sprache: | Englisch |
Jahr der Erstveröffentlichung: | 2020 |
Organisationseinheit der BAM: | 4 Material und Umwelt |
4 Material und Umwelt / 4.0 Abteilungsleitung und andere | |
DDC-Klassifikation: | Technik, Medizin, angewandte Wissenschaften / Ingenieurwissenschaften / Sanitär- und Kommunaltechnik; Umwelttechnik |
Freie Schlagwörter: | Crispr/Cas9; black fungus; genetics |
Themenfelder/Aktivitätsfelder der BAM: | Umwelt |
Umwelt / Umwelt-Material-Interaktionen | |
Veranstaltung: | Departmental colloquium of the Tuscia University |
Veranstaltungsort: | Viterbo, Italy |
Beginndatum der Veranstaltung: | 14.02.2020 |
Enddatum der Veranstaltung: | 14.02.2020 |
Verfügbarkeit des Dokuments: | Datei im Netzwerk der BAM verfügbar ("Closed Access") |
Datum der Freischaltung: | 24.03.2020 |
Referierte Publikation: | Nein |
Eingeladener Vortrag: | Nein |