Program for the Biology of Filamentous Fungi

丝状真菌是一种非常重要的生物。它们是植物病害的主要原因。作为受感染植物产品中真菌毒素的生产者，它们造成农产品的重大损失，并对人类和动物的健康构成严重关切。真菌是负责木本植物组织分解的主要生物，具有将植物废物转化为有价值产品的潜力。真菌与植物形成联系，提高植物生产力，真菌是食物和药物的重要生产者。因此，增加真菌研究的努力是必要的，既减少真菌对植物造成的损害，又增加它们提高植物产品价值的潜力。最近，德州农工大学（Texas a&m University）齐心协力吸引对真菌生物学有共同兴趣的科学家。我们认识到，为了造福社会，未来在操纵真菌方面有可能取得科学突破。我们的目标是让德州农工大学成为真菌生物学研究的领导者，因为它与植物生物学有关。为此，我们在研究真菌生物学中各种问题的研究小组之间建立了相互作用。从这个项目毕业的科学家将在农业、工业、环境和政府需求的关键领域产生直接的影响。

The filamentous fungi are organisms of unusual importance. They are the major cause of plant diseases. As producers of mycotoxins in infected plant products, they cause significant losses of agricultural products and are a grave health concern for man and animals. Fungi are the primary organisms responsible for the decomposition of woody plant tissues and hold the potential for bioconversion of plant waste into valuable products. Fungi form associations with plants that enhance plant productivity and fungi are important producers of both foods and medicines. Thus, increase fungal research efforts are warranted, both to decrease the damage that fungi cause to plants and to increase their potential to enhance the value of plant products. Recently, Texas A&M University has made a concerted effort to attract scientists with common interests in fungal biology. We recognize the potential for future scientific breakthroughs in the manipulation of fungi for the benefit of society. Our goal is for Texas A&M to become a leader in fungal biology research as it relates to plant biology. To this end, we have established interactions between research groups investigating diverse problems in fungal biology. Scientists graduating from this program will have an immediate impact in areas of critical importance for agricultural, industrial, environmental, and governmental needs.