This revised and extended edition provides in-depth insights into the benefits and untapped potential of lichen-derived bioactive compounds. The whole spectrum of these compounds' biological and medical functions, from antibiotic to antiviral and anti-carcinogenic properties, is presented. In addition, a new chapter discusses the anti-neurodegenerative and anti-diabetic activities of lichenic secondary metabolites. Given its scope, the book offers a valuable asset for students and researchers in this field.

Increasing resistance to established fungicides has stimulated the search for novel fungicides with new modes of action. Environmental concerns now also demand that these have low environmental impact and toxicity. Fungicidal Activity discusses new approaches to fungicide development including biological control and genetic engineering, and takes a global view of the future of fungicidal development. Fungicidal Activity is a volume in the Wiley Series in Agrochemicals and Plant Protection. This series brings together current scientific and regulatory knowledge and perspectives on all aspects of the use of chemicals and biotechnology in agriculture.

The Pocket Guide to Mycological Diagnosis provides useful and concise information for microbiologists and professionals diagnosing the most medically relevant fungal species. Cellular and molecular techniques, immunological methods, and more accurate microscopy equipment available in most mycology laboratories now make diagnosis more routine. Furthermore, information regarding medical mycology, including identification of specific fungal pathogens, is widely available. This book helps mycologists address the emerging challenges of diagnosis. Key Features Succinct summary of fungal disease diagnosis Includes opportunistic fungal infections that can afflict immunocompromised patients Permits the identification of common fungal pathogens Reviews antifungal drugs Related Titles Ghannoum, M. A. & John R. Perfect, eds. Antifungal Therapy, 2nd ed. (ISBN 978-1-4987-6814-6) Miyaji, M., ed. Animal Models in Medical Mycology (ISBN 978-1-3158-9059-3) Razzaghi-Abyaneh, M., M. Shams-Ghahfarokhi and M. Rai, eds. Medical Mycology: Current Trends and Future Prospects (ISBN 978-1-4987-1421-1)

Mycotoxins are produced worldwide by several fungi on a wide range of agricultural commodities and are closely related to human and animal food chains. Examining mycotoxins and their impact from a public health viewpoint, this book provides an overview and introduction to the subject and examines the health, trade and legislation issues involved. Management of mycotoxins is discussed in detail as well as the global problems caused by mycotoxins.

The book provides basic knowledge in mycorrhizal ecology, knitted with novel conceptual frameworks and contemporary perspectives, especially in the context of global change. In a fast changing world wherein anthropogenic climate change, biological invasions, deforestation, desertification, and frequent droughts have become routine hard realities, the contents of this book urge readers to rethink basic notions of setting and accomplishing objectives in mycorrhizal research to make sense vis-à-vis contemporary challenges. In this book, a global perspective of mycorrhizal diversity and distribution is provided, followed by some insights into the impact of various global change elements such as climate change, plant invasion, and extreme environmental conditions on mycorrhizas and the role of these mutualists in turn to help their host plants to withstand such novel selection pressures. Special attention here is given to the interesting, but largely neglected, topics such as the role of mycorrhizas in ecological restoration of degraded environments and mycorrhizal status of aquatic plants. The basic idea is to unify various topical areas in mycorrhizal science in an integrated framework. This book can be used by the undergraduate and graduate level students studying mycorrhizal symbioses in the context of current ecological applications. The materials in this book will benefit biological scientists actively involved in research on mycorrhizal ecology and global environmental change. Besides, the contents of the book could be of special interest to restoration ecologists and biodiversity managers.

Fungi are an economic very important class of microbes. Not only do they host a range of versatile enzymes used in industrial applications (biofuels, laundry, food processing), as well do they produce several very important pharmaceutical drugs (statins and penicillins). Moreover, fungal pathogens can cause great damage in agricultural production (Phytophthora and Botrytis) and during mammalian infections (Penicillium marneffei and Candida). Transformation of DNA is used to understand the genetic basis behind these traits. Several different techniques have been developed over the years and readily shown to be decisive methods to improve fungal biotechnology. This book will cover the basics behind the most commonly used transformation methods, as well as associated tools and techniques. Each chapter will provide protocols along with examples to be used in laboratories worldwide.

The volume is divided into four sections, the first of which, Genome Sequences and Beyond, illustrates the impact of genome-based information and techniques on research ranging from model organisms like yeast to less-studied basal fungal lineages. Furthermore, it highlights novel types of analysis made possible by multi-genome comparisons as well as the impact of genomics on culture collections and vice versa. The second section, Cell and Developmental Biology, addresses questions that are important for fungal biology, e.g. the development of fungal fruiting bodies, and biology in general, e.g. chromatin organization and circadian rhythms. The third section, Genomics for Biotechnology, covers the search for plant biomass-converting enzymes in fungal genomes and work with industrially important fungi. The fourth section, focusing on Pathogenicity, offers chapters on the genomic analysis of plant and animal/human pathogens. It illustrates how genomics at all levels, from genome to metabolome, is used to study mechanisms of the interactions of fungi with other organisms.

Food scientists will dig into this robust reference on mushrooms
Mushrooms as Functional Foods is a compendium of current research on the chemistry and biology, nutritional and medicinal value, and the use of mushrooms in the modern functional foods industry. Topics covered range from the agricultural production of mushrooms to the use of molecular biological techniques like functional genomics; from nutritional values of newly cultivated mushroom species to the multifunctional effects of the unconventional form of mushroom (sclerotium); from the physiological benefits and pharmacological properties of bioactive components in mushrooms to the regulation of their use as functional foods and dietary supplements in different parts of the world. With contributions from leading experts worldwide, this comprehensive reference:
* Reviews trends in mushroom use and research, with extensive information on emerging species
* Includes coverage of cultivation, physiology, and genetics
* Highlights applications in functional foods and medicinal use
* Covers worldwide regulations and safety issues of mushrooms in functional foods and dietary supplements
* Discusses the classification, identification, and commercial collection of newly cultivated mushroom species
* Features a color insert with photographs of different types of mushrooms
This is an integrated, single-source reference for undergraduates majoring in food science and nutrition, postgraduates, and professional food scientists and technologists working in the functional food area, and medical and health science professionals interested in alternative medicines and natural food therapies.

Desert truffles are found in every known desert, irrespective of the habitat - cool or hot, loamy or acidic, sandy or heavy soil - the only common condition seems to be a limited supply of water. In contrast to 'true' truffles, desert truffles have evolved over time in different families, mainly within the order Pezizales. While in some arid areas, desert truffles have been traditionally used as food, in most regions interest has only recently been increasing, and truffles are now treasured for their nutritional value, as an income source and for research. This volume gives a comprehensive overview of the phylogeny, biology, mycorrhizal association, and distribution of desert truffles, their use, biochemical and medicinal properties, as well as their domestication and cultivation.

The Pocket Guide to Mycological Diagnosis provides useful and concise information for microbiologists and professionals diagnosing the most medically relevant fungal species. Cellular and molecular techniques, immunological methods, and more accurate microscopy equipment available in most mycology laboratories now make diagnosis more routine. Furthermore, information regarding medical mycology, including identification of specific fungal pathogens, is widely available. This book helps mycologists address the emerging challenges of diagnosis. Key Features Succinct summary of fungal disease diagnosis Includes opportunistic fungal infections that can afflict immunocompromised patients Permits the identification of common fungal pathogens Reviews antifungal drugs Related Titles Ghannoum, M. A. & John R. Perfect, eds. Antifungal Therapy, 2nd ed. (ISBN 978-1-4987-6814-6) Miyaji, M., ed. Animal Models in Medical Mycology (ISBN 978-1-3158-9059-3) Razzaghi-Abyaneh, M., M. Shams-Ghahfarokhi and M. Rai, eds. Medical Mycology: Current Trends and Future Prospects (ISBN 978-1-4987-1421-1)

Although there are many texts that provide quality information for the identification of fungi, researchers and technologists rarely have time to read the text. Most are rushed for time and seek morphological information that helps guide them to the identification of fungi. The Atlas of Clinically Important Fungi provides readers with an alphabetical list of fungi as well as listing the division of fungi by both sporulation and morphology. The characteristic traits for a particular fungus are displayed through a series of images, with the fungi appearing as they did in the author's lab on the day(s) that testing was performed. For this reason, numerous (6-20) color photographs are included so that technologists will have sufficient reference photos for identifying the various morphologies of a single organism. Organism photographs begin with the macroscopic colony views followed by the microscopic views. Also included for some microorganisms, are clinical pathology photographs demonstrating how the organism appears in human tissues. A collection of literature citations are also provided to enable further reading. This user-friendly fungi atlas provides a resource for those seeking information in the field of medical mycology, specifically with regards to identifying an organism using the parameters of culture morphology.

These chapters provide up-to-date information on nematophagous fungi, particularly those of the Orbiliaceae in Ascomycota, whose asexual states produce nematode-trapping devices. The authors consider fungal-nematode interactions, fossil fungi, the biodiversity, ecology and geographical distribution of nematode-trapping fungi, and their potential use in biocontrol of nematodes, all in detail. Nematode-trapping fungi with adhesive or mechanical hyphal traps are the main focus of this book which begins with an overview of the data on nematode-trapping fungi, including their taxonomy, phylogeny and evolution. Subsequent chapters expand upon the methods and techniques used to study these fascinating fungi. Keys for genera of Arthrobotrys, Drechslerella and Dactylellina, which include all reported species of predatory orbiliaceous fungi are presented and numerous species from these genera are morphologically described and illustrated. The ecology of nematode-trapping fungi is expertly presented: their occurrence and habitats, their geographical and seasonal distribution and the effects of soil conditions and nematode density on their distribution all feature amongst the relevant themes. Further chapters examine the use of nematode-trapping fungi in biological control and the authors consider nematicidal activities in detail, exploring the many compounds from fungi that feature in nematicidal activities and of course useful paths for further study on this topic. This is a highly informative and carefully presented book, providing scientific insight for scholars with an interest in fungi and in biological control of nematodes.

This unique book covers a broad diversity of fungal systems and provides unique insight into the functions of those fungi in various ecosystems from soil, to plant, to human. Bringing together fungal genomic information on a variety of lifestyles and traits, the book covers saprotrophism, pathogenesis (including biotrophs, hemibiotrophs, necrotrophs) and symbiosis. Advances in high-throughput sequencing now offer unprecedented opportunities for identification of novel key molecular mechanisms controlling plant-microbe interactions, evolution of fungi and developmentally- and ecologically-relevant traits, this book explores how these massive streams of fungal sequences can be exploited to gain a deeper understanding of the evolution of fungi and their ecological role. Although tremendous progress has been made in recent years in fungal genomics, thanks to the sequencing of over one hundred fungal genomes, until now no book has used this information to bridge fungal genomics, molecular ecology and ecology. Edited by a recognized leader in fungal genomics and soil metagenomics with over a decade of experience, Genomics & Metagenomics for Harnessing the Ecology of Fungi will be a useful resource for the experienced as well as the new researchers entering the field.

Several different transformation techniques have been developed over the years and readily shown to be decisive methods in fungal biotechnology. This book will cover the basics behind the most commonly used transformation methods, as well as associated tools and techniques. Each chapter will provide protocols along with examples used in laboratories worldwide. Not only will this text provide a detailed background on applications in industrial and pharmaceutical relevant microbes, but also the importance of fungal pathogens in agricultural production (Phytophthora and Botrytis) and mammalian infection (Penicillium marneffei and Candida). Genetic Transformation Systems in Fungi, Volume 1 provides in-depth coverage of how the transformation of DNA is used to understand the genetic basis behind these fungal traits.

Members of the fungal kingdom-the decomposers, the fermenters, the pathogens, the symbiotes-play critical roles in the ecology of our planet and have provided both benefits and hazards to humans for millennia. Pathogenic fungi are responsible for ca. 1.5 million deaths each year, yet other members of the Kingdom Fungi provide foods, medicines, industrial products, and more: a window for researchers into the workings of all eukaryotes. In The Fungal Kingdom, an international team of experts has assembled reviews by more than 170 mycologists, cell biologists, systems biologists, mathematicians, geneticists, and genomicists that cover the latest research and knowledge about all aspects of the Eumycota. The Fungal Kingdom is a rich collection of articles on all things fungi. These reviews present the latest fungal research and the impacts of fungi on agriculture, ecology, human health, and industrial applications as well as what lies ahead.

Edible ectomycorrhizal mushrooms (EEMMs) comprise more than 1000 species and are an important food and forest resource. In this volume of Soil Biology, internationally recognized scientists offer their most recent research findings on these beguiling fungi. Topics covered include: complex ecological interactions between plants, EEMMs, and soil organisms; comparative genomics, high-throughput sequencing and modern research tools; genetic selection of fungal strains and techniques for inoculating plants; economic and social considerations surrounding wild collected EEMMs; and practical information concerning soil management and EEMM cultivation. The book will be a useful guide for anyone interested in soil ecology, forestry, or the genetics and cultivation of EEMMs, and provides an extensive knowledge base and inspirations for future studies on these ecologically and economically important fungi.

Fungi enjoy great popularity in pharmaceutical, agricultural, and biotechnological applications. Recent advances in the decipherment of whole fungal genomes promise an acceleration of these trends. This timely book links scientists from different parts of the world who are interested in the molecular identification of fungi combined with the exploration of the fungal biodiversity in different ecosystems. It provides a compendium for scientists who rely on a rapid and reliable detection of fungal specimens in environmental as well as clinical resources in order to ensure the benefit of industrial and clinical applications. Chapters focus on the opportunities and limits of the molecular marker-mediated identification of fungi. Various methods, procedures and strategies are outlined. Furthermore, the book offers an update of the current progress in the development of fungal molecular techniques, and draws attention to potential and associated problems, as well as integrating theory and practice.

This volume includes treatments of systematics and related topics for both fungi and fungus-like organisms in four eukaryotic supergroups, as well as specialized chapters on nomenclature, techniques and evolution. These organisms are of great interest to mycologists, plant pathologists and others, including those interested in the animal parasitic Microsporidia. Our knowledge of the systematics and evolution of fungi has made great strides since the first edition of this volume, largely driven by molecular phylogenetic analyses. Consensus among mycologists has led to a stable systematic treatment that has since become widely adopted and is incorporated into this second edition, along with a great deal of new information on evolution and ecology. The systematic chapters cover occurrence, distribution, economic importance, morphology and ultrastructure, development of taxonomic theory, classification and maintenance and culture. Other chapters deal with nomenclatural changes necessitated by revisions of the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi and plants, including the elimination of separate names for asexual states, as well as methods for preservation of cultures and specimens, character evolution and methods for ultrastructural study, the fungal fossil record and the impact of whole genomes on fungal studies.

Recent findings on the role of the cell wall of pathogenetic fungi in the pathogenic processes of both vertebrates and invertebrates are presented. The fungal cell wall not only gives shape to the fungus, but it is a dynamic structure allowing fungal growth and survival of fungi in both friendly and adverse environments. It acts as a living sieve controlling the entry of nutrients and the secretion of metabolic products. In terms of fungal pathogenesis, the fungal wall may be responsible for eliciting the defense response of their respective invertebrate or vertebrate hosts or conversely it may provide protection against the host defense system during the pathogenic process.

The people have been using fungi since ancient times. On one hand fungi are responsible for causing plant and human diseases, while on the other hand they are beneficial to human kind. There have been tremendous biotechnological advancement in the field of fungi in the last two decades. Various applications of the fungi include drugs, dyes, single-cell protein and growth promoters. Advancement in the field of molecular biology, proteomics and genomics have unravelled various doubts and provided new insights in the field of genetic improvement, transformations and phyllogenetic relationship of different genera and species. Fungi are not only involved in production of single-cell protein, wine and beer production and antioxidants but also used for bioremediation, growth promotion, as biosensors and fabrication of ceo-friendly silver and gold nanoparticles. Some ofthese issues have been addressed in the present book. The present boot is aimed to provide the readers with current trends in the field of Mycology in general and fungal biotechnology in particular. The book would be of utmost importance to students, researchers and teachers of botany, mycology, microbiology, medical microbiology, fungal biotechnology and nanotechnology. The readers should find the book full of information and reader friendly. We are thankful to all the contributors for submission of their valuable manuscripts. MKR wishes to thank his students- Ravindra Ade, Avinash Ingle, Dnyaneshwar Rathod, Alka Yadav, Vaibhav Tiwari, Jayendra Kesharwani and Swapnil Gaikwad for help in editing and typesetting.

This book is the result of 14 years of collecting Entolomataceae in the native forests of Tasmania, Australia. Although initially involving only the Tasmanian residents Genevieve Gates and David Ratkowsky, who made twice- or thrice-weekly forays into the forests throughout the year, the project was subsequently joined by agaric specialist Machiel Noordeloos from the Netherlands, and by fungi photographer Michael Pilkington from the United Kingdom. The international character of the project is further evidenced by the earlier contributions of American mycologist Tim Baroni to the Tasmanian Rhodocybe species which form the basis of the chapter on the now-expanded concept of Clitopilus, and a visit of several months in 2010 by Brazilian Ph.D. candidate Fernanda Karstedt, who tested the keys to the Entoloma species. Consequently, several thousand well-annotated collections were found during this inventory and form the basis of this monographic treatment of the Entoloma and Clitopilus of Tasmania. The resulting 90 Entoloma species and 10 Clitopilus species are well documented with standardized descriptions, line drawings of fruit bodies and diagnostic microscopic characters, and, when available, with colour photographs. Thanks to the intensive search, it was possible to illustrate most species in colour. Dichotomous keys facilitate identification of the species. The species concept used is morphologically based; in several cases, however, identification to species level is supported by molecular data.

This book introduces recent progress in the study of species diversity and community structures in terrestrial organisms conducted by three groups at Kyoto University. First, it explains species diversity and the functioning of fungi in Asian regions as outlined by metagenomic approaches using next-generation sequencing technology. The advances in high-throughput sequencing technologies accelerate the speed of species inventorying, especially for microorganisms. Second, the study of complex interactions between herbivorous insects and plants in the community and ecosystem contexts is presented. Recent studies in community and ecosystem genetics shed light on these complex interactions with novel approaches incorporating genetic perspectives including genetic variation and phenotypic plasticity in plant defenses against herbivores. Finally, recent studies on speciation processes in insects are described, processes that are related to the evolution of particular life history strategies. Included is an examination of two hypotheses that may be important in understanding diversification of insect species in heterogeneous environments in space and time. This book is a valuable resource especially for ecologists who are interested in species diversity and community structure.

Fungi are sessile, highly sensitive organisms that actively compete for environmental resources both above and below the ground. They assess their surroundings, estimate how much energy they need for particular goals, and then realise the optimum variant. They take measures to control certain environmental resources. They perceive themselves and can distinguish between 'self' and 'non-self'. They process and evaluate information and then modify their behaviour accordingly. These highly diverse competences show us that this is possible owing to sign(aling)-mediated communication processes within fungal cells (intraorganismic), between the same, related and different fungal species (interorganismic), and between fungi and non-fungal organisms (transorganismic). Intraorganismic communication involves sign-mediated interactions within cells (intracellular) and between cells (intercellular). This is crucial in coordinating growth and development, shape and dynamics. Such communication must function both on the local level and between widely separated mycelium parts. This allows fungi to coordinate appropriate response behaviors in a differentiated manner to their current developmental status and physiological influences.

The purpose of this and future volumes of the Handbook of Genetics is to bring together a collection of relatively short, authoritative essays or annotated compilations of data on topics of significance to geneticists. Many of the essays will deal with various aspects of the biology of certain species selected because they are favorite subjects for genetic investigation in nature or the laboratory. Often there will be an encyclopedic amount of information available on such a species, with new papers appearing daily. Most of these will be written for specialists in a jargon that is be wildering to a novice, and sometimes even to a veteran geneticist working with evolutionarily distant organisms. For such readers what is needed is a written introduction to the morphology, life cycle, reproductive be havior, and culture methods for the species in question. What are its par ticular advantages (and disadvantages) for genetic study, and what have we learned from it? Where are the classic papers, the key bibliographies, and how does one get stocks of wild type or mutant strains? The chapters devoted to different species will contain information of this sort. Only a few hundreds of the millions of species available to biologists have been subjected to detailed genetic study. However, those that have make up a very heterogeneous sample of the living world."

This volume includes contributions by the leading experts in the field of yeast aging. Budding yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and other fungal organisms provide models for aging research that are relevant to organismic aging and to the aging processes occurring in the human body. Replicative aging, in which only the mother cell ages while the daughter cell resets the clock to zero is a model for the aging of stem cell populations in humans, while chronological aging (measured by survival in stationary phase) is a model for the aging processes in postmitotic cells (for instance, neurons of the brain). Most mechanisms of aging are studied in yeast. Among them, this book discusses: mitochondrial theories of aging, emphasizing oxidative stress and retrograde responses; the role of autophagy and mitophagy; the relationship of apoptosis to aging processes; the role of asymmetric segregation of damage in replicative aging; the role of replication stress; and the role of the cytoskeleton in aging. Modern methods of yeast genetics and genomics are described that can be used to search for aging-specific functions in a genome-wide unbiased fashion. The similarities in the pathology of senescence (studied in yeast) and of cancer cells, including genome instability, are examined.