Research Keyword: repeat-induced point mutation

Saprotrophic Arachnopeziza Species as New Resources to Study the Obligate Biotrophic Lifestyle of Powdery Mildew Fungi

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Scientists studied two species of fungi called Arachnopeziza that are closely related to powdery mildew fungi but can grow independently on simple lab media. By analyzing their complete genomes and developing techniques to genetically modify these fungi, researchers created a new tool for understanding how powdery mildew fungi became dependent on plants. This breakthrough allows scientists to study these harmful plant pathogens more effectively without having to work directly with the difficult-to-cultivate powdery mildew fungi.

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Saprotrophic Arachnopeziza Species as New Resources to Study the Obligate Biotrophic Lifestyle of Powdery Mildew Fungi

mycolabadmin

Scientists have created a new way to study powdery mildew fungus, which causes widespread plant disease but cannot normally be studied in the laboratory. They identified a related fungus species (Arachnopeziza) that can grow in culture and can be genetically modified. By sequencing the DNA of these two Arachnopeziza species and developing methods to alter their genes, researchers have created a practical tool to understand how powdery mildew becomes dependent on its plant host, potentially leading to better disease control strategies.

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Saprotrophic Arachnopeziza Species as New Resources to Study the Obligate Biotrophic Lifestyle of Powdery Mildew Fungi

mycolabadmin

Scientists have discovered that two types of fungi called Arachnopeziza species are the closest living relatives to powdery mildew fungi, which cause plant diseases. Unlike powdery mildews, these Arachnopeziza fungi can be easily grown in the lab and genetically modified. By studying these more manageable fungi, researchers can better understand how powdery mildew fungi became obligate parasites that must live on plants, potentially leading to better ways to control this widespread plant disease.

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Unusual genome expansion and transcription suppression in ectomycorrhizal Tricholoma matsutake by insertions of transposable elements

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Scientists sequenced the genome of the prized matsutake mushroom and discovered it has an unusually large genome packed with transposable elements (jumping DNA sequences). These transposable elements act like genetic ‘parasites’ that accumulate over time and actually silence many neighboring genes by preventing them from being expressed. The research shows how mushrooms evolved specialized mechanisms to control these genetic parasites while adapting to living symbiotically with pine tree roots.

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