Fungi belonging to the genera "Trichoderma" and "Gliocladium" are soil-bourne saprophytes which have been used for industrial and agricultural applications for decades. Some strains produce enzymes and antibiotics while others are useful as biological agents for the protections of plants against pathogens. This first volume of two, gives a detailed account of the morphology and taxonomy of "Trichoderma" and "Gliocladium", before disscusing their ecology and basic biology. Molecular biological aspects examined include their genome and gene structure, genetic transformation and asexual genetics. A chapter on safety aspects is also included.

Contents:
1. Structure -function Relationships in Trichoderma Cellulolytic Enzymes A. Koivula, M. Linder and T. Teeri 2. Enzymology of Hermicellulose Degradation P. Biely and M. Tenkanen 3. Regulation of production of plant Polysacharide Degrading Enzymes by Trichoderma C. Kubicek and M. Penttila 4. Chitinolytic Enzymes and Their Genes M. Lorito 5. Glucanolytic and Other Enzymes and Their Genes T. Benitez, C. Limon, J. Delgado-Jarana and M. Rey 6. Trichoderma and Gliocladium in Biological Control: an Overview L. Hjeljord and A. Tronsmo 7. Mycoparasitism and Lytic Enzymes I. Chet, N. Benhamou and S.Haran 8. The Role of Antibiosis in Biocontrol C. Howell 9. Direct Effects of Trichoderma and Glicocladium on Plant Growth and Resistance to Pathogens B. Bailey and R. Lumsden 10. Industrial Production of Active Propagules of Trichoderma for Agricultural Uses E. Agosin and J. Aguilera 11. Potential and Existing Uses of Trichoderma for Agricultural Uses G. Harman and T. Bjorkman 12. Trichoderma as a Weed Mould or Pathogen in Mushroom Cultivation D. Seaby 13. Industrial Mutants and Recombinant Strains of Trichoderma reesei A. Mantyla, M. Paloheimo and P. Suominen 14. Application of Trichoderma Enzymes in the Textile Industry Y. Galante, A De Conti and R. Monteverdi 15. Application of Trichoderma Enzymes in the Food and Feed Industries Y. Galante, A De Conti and R. Monteverdi 16. Applications of Trichoderma reesei Enzymes in the Pulp and Paper Industry J. Buchert, T. Okansen, J. Pere, M. Siika-aho, A. Suurnakki and L. Viikari 17. Heterologous Protein Production in Trichoderma M. Penttila

Ch. P. Kubicek, Vienna: "The Cellulase Proteins of Trichoderma reesei: Structure, Multiplicity, Mode of Action and Regulation of Formation" Dr.A. Singh, Dr. P.K.R. Kumar, Dr. K. Sch}gerl, Hannover: "Bioconversion of Cellulosic Materials to Ethanol by Filamentous Fungi" Dr. T. Coolbear, Palmerston North, New Zealand, Dr. R.M. Da- niel, Dr. H.W. Morgan, Hamilton, New Zealand: "The Enzymes from Extreme Thermophiles: Bacterial Sources, Thermostabilities and Industrial Relevance" Dr. N. Weber, M}nster, Dr. D. C. Taylor, Dr. E. W. Under- hill, Saskatoon (Canada): "Biosynthesis of Storage Lipids in Plant Cell and Embryo Cultures"

Harnessing fungi's enzymatic ability to break down lignocellulolytic biomass to produce ethanol more efficiently and cost-effectively has become a significant research and industrial interest. "Fungi and Lignocellulosic Biomass "provides readers with a broad range of information on the uses and untapped potential of fungi in the production of bio-based fuels.

With information on the molecular biological and genomic aspects of fungal degradation of plant cell walls to the industrial production and application of key fungal enzymes, chapters in the book cover topics such as enzymology of cellulose, hemicelluloses, and lignin degradation. Edited by a leading researcher in the field, "Fungi and Lignocellulosic Biomass "will be a valuable tool in advancing the development and production of biofuels and a comprehensive resource for fungal biologists, enzymologists, protein chemists, biofuels chemical engineers, and other research and industry professionals in the field of biomass research.