Fungal Morphogenesis and Growth Polarity

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The long term goal of this research proposal is to understand the spacial and temporal signals in the filamentous fungus Neurospora crassa that lead to the establishment and maintenance of polar growth and regulation of the position of new tips during the formation of side branches. As a basis to study cellular development in a filamentous fungus we have isolated a large collection ( 100 complementation groups) of temperaturesensitive mutants defective in the maintenance and regulation of growth polarity. Cloning and sequencing genes required for normal growth will provide a molecular starting point and will be essential for the understanding of this fascinating phenomenon. The next step will be the characterisation of the functions of the identified proteins to obtain a molecular description of the mechanisms involved in cell morphogenesis. Gaining insight into fungal morphogenesis will have important consequences for understanding the mechanisms controlling the growth of higher eukaryotic cells as a high degree of evolutionary conservation can be anticipated. Furthermore, this information will help us to understand the mechanisms contributing to fungal pathogenesis and the industrial production of proteins.