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Aspergillus: a primer for the novice

J W Bennett1

  • 1Department Plant Biology and Pathology, School Environmental and Biological Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901, USA. profmycogirl@yahoo.com

Medical Mycology
|March 3, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Aspergillus molds are important in industry and medicine. While genome sequencing advances understanding of fungal evolution and metabolites, its impact on drug discovery and disease diagnosis remains limited.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology and Genomics
  • Fungal Biology and Evolution

Background:

  • Aspergillus is a genus of molds with significant economic and medical importance.
  • Most Aspergillus species reproduce asexually, and several have undergone genome sequencing.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the utility of genome projects for Aspergillus species.
  • To assess the impact of genomic data on understanding fungal phylogeny, evolution, and secondary metabolites.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of completed and ongoing Aspergillus genome projects.
  • Review of literature on the application of genomic data in mycology.

Main Results:

  • Genome sequencing has elucidated Aspergillus phylogeny, sexual evolution, and secondary metabolite diversity.
  • Data from genome projects have been instrumental in advancing these specific areas of fungal research.

Conclusions:

  • Genomic insights into Aspergillus are significant for understanding fungal biology.
  • The impact of Aspergillus genome projects on drug discovery, aspergillosis diagnosis, and pathogenesis understanding is currently limited but holds future potential.

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