SGER: Efficient Extrachromosomal Replication of Exogenous DNA by a Filamentous Fungus

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Long 9724999 This Small Grant for Exploratory Research is based on the discovery that the filamentous fungus, Pestalotiopsis microspora, has a unique ability to convert non-replicating transforming DNA into self-replicating plasmids. This is in stark contrast, in terms of both efficiency and mechanism, to essentially all other filamentous fungi which replicate transforming DNA through chromosomal integration. Two aspects of P. microspora transformation, high efficiency and generation of self-replicating plasmids, could, if applicable to other filamentous fungi, have substantial impact on the growing field of molecular genetic engineering of this important class of organisms. This research develops methods for amplification of P. microspora plasmids, structural and functional characterization of these plasmids, and experiments to test their ability to replicate in other filamentous fungi.