Anaerobic fungi are very effective at breaking down complex lignocellulosic substrates, using both physical penetration and enzymatic degradation. Their enzymes are some of the most potent in the known biological world!
News
Rumen Microbial Genomics Network
Have you heard about the Rumen Microbial Genomics Network? If not, please check out their website. The research scope of the network encompasses anaerobic fungi, as well as other rumen microbes (bacteria, protozoa and methanogenic archaea). http://www.rmgnetwork.org.nz/
How many genera?
Six genera of anaerobic fungi are currently recognised, but recent studies have shown there is at least ten more that are likely to exist! One of the latest papers on this topic is: http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0091928
Oxygen tolerance
Anaerobic fungi are sensitive to oxygen, but our understanding of their mechanisms to tolerate oxygen exposure is slowly progressing. http://www.nature.com/srep/2014/141104/srep06892/full/srep06892.html
The literature – where to start?
Are you new to anaerobic fungi? And/or want to know what research progress has been made in the last 5-10 years? Then there are two review articles, published this year by members of our network, that are great starting points for you: Gruninger, Robert J., et al. "Anaerobic fungi (phylum Neocallimastigomycota): advances in understanding their … Continue reading The literature – where to start?
A case of mistaken identity…..
Did you know that despite the discovery of anaerobic fungal zoospores in the rumen being first reported back in 1910, it wasn't until the ground breaking work of Colin Orpin in the 1970's that they were recognised as fungi. They had been mistakenly identified as flagellated protozoa for over 60 years!
The blog space!
Watch this page for future anaerobic fungal news and developments. Information given here will also be posted on our Facebook page - and vice versa.