Fungal morphogenesis and environmental response

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

The goal of my research program is to better understand factors affecting cell shape and function in eukaryotes, complex organisms that include both humans and fungi. Fungal impacts on humans and on ecology span beneficial and detrimental effects, ranging from recycling and biotechnology to pathogenesis of animals and plants. To better use or control fungal activities, we need improved knowledge of their growth, metabolism, and responses to external factors. Fungi have few cell types, simple cell structures, and short life cycles compared to animals, nevertheless, animal and fungal physiology and genetic controls are fundamentally similar. Experiments can be done easily and quickly in fungi, and the results can be applied to medical research. Analytical and molecular genetic tools developed for species such as the bread mold, Aspergillus nidulans, make filamentous fungi exemplary experimental model systems.