Ursula Kües
A5030126992- Fungal Biology and Applications
- Mycorrhizal Fungi and Plant Interactions
- Enzyme-mediated dye degradation
- Plant Pathogens and Fungal Diseases
- Fungal and yeast genetics research
- Plant Reproductive Biology
- Microbial Metabolism and Applications
- Yeasts and Rust Fungi Studies
- Forest Ecology and Biodiversity Studies
- Slime Mold and Myxomycetes Research
- Photosynthetic Processes and Mechanisms
- Plant Parasitism and Resistance
- melanin and skin pigmentation
- Forest Insect Ecology and Management
- Plant-Microbe Interactions and Immunity
- Plant and animal studies
- Plant tissue culture and regeneration
- Plant and fungal interactions
- DNA Repair Mechanisms
- Microbial Natural Products and Biosynthesis
- Silymarin and Mushroom Poisoning
- Lignin and Wood Chemistry
- Biochemical and biochemical processes
- Fermentation and Sensory Analysis
- Phytochemistry and Bioactivity Studies
University of Göttingen
2016-2025
Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain Cluster of Excellence 171 — DFG Research Center 103
2022
ETH Zurich
1996-2006
Board of the Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology
2000-2001
University of Oxford
1992-1995
Queen Mary University of London
1991-1992
Technische Universität Berlin
1989-1992
Freie Universität Berlin
1991-1992
Wood is a major pool of organic carbon that highly resistant to decay, owing largely the presence lignin. The only organisms capable substantial lignin decay are white rot fungi in Agaricomycetes, which also contains non-lignin-degrading brown and ectomycorrhizal species. Comparative analyses 31 fungal genomes (12 generated for this study) suggest lignin-degrading peroxidases expanded lineage leading ancestor reconstructed as species, then contracted parallel lineages mycorrhizal Molecular...
The fungus Laccaria bicolor — seen in its above-ground fruiting body presence as the 'bicoloured deceiver' mushroom lives symbiotically on roots of trees. Its genome has now been sequenced, and key features characterized by transcript profiling. study throws light mechanism mycorrhizal symbiosis, union soil fungi that is vital important to plant productivity. And it will be keen interest evolutionary biologists for revelations about plant–fungus interactions shaping genomes over time....
Rust fungi are some of the most devastating pathogens crop plants. They obligate biotrophs, which extract nutrients only from living plant tissues and cannot grow apart their hosts. Their lifestyle has slowed dissection molecular mechanisms underlying host invasion avoidance or suppression innate immunity. We sequenced 101-Mb genome Melampsora larici - populina , causal agent poplar leaf rust, 89-Mb Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici wheat barley stem rust. then compared 16,399 predicted...
Brown-rot fungi such as Postia placenta are common inhabitants of forest ecosystems and also largely responsible for the destructive decay wooden structures. Rapid depolymerization cellulose is a distinguishing feature brown-rot, but biochemical mechanisms underlying genetics poorly understood. Systematic examination P. genome, transcriptome, secretome revealed unique extracellular enzyme systems, including an unusual repertoire glycoside hydrolases. Genes encoding exocellobiohydrolases...
Comparative genomic analysis of “dry rot” fungus shows both convergent evolution and divergence among fungal decomposers.
Much remains to be learned about the biology of mushrooms, which are an important source food as well secondary metabolites and enzymes biotechnological importance. Ohm et al. report sequence genetically tractable species Schizophyllum commune identify genes involved in formation fruiting bodies degradation lignocellulose. mushroom-forming fungi, food, industrial enzymes. The wood-degrading fungus is both a model for studying mushroom development likely capable efficient lignocellulosic...
A phylogenetic analysis of more than 350 multicopper oxidases (MCOs) from fungi, insects, plants, and bacteria provided the basis for a refined classification this enzyme family into laccases sensu stricto (basidiomycetous ascomycetous), insect laccases, fungal pigment MCOs, ferroxidases, ascorbate oxidases, plant laccase‐like bilirubin oxidases. Within largest group enzymes, formed by 125 basidiomycetous gene phylogeny does not strictly follow species phylogeny. The enzymes seem to at least...
The mushroom Coprinopsis cinerea is a classic experimental model for multicellular development in fungi because it grows on defined media, completes its life cycle 2 weeks, produces some 10 8 synchronized meiocytes, and can be manipulated at all stages by mutation transformation. 37-megabase genome of C. was sequenced assembled into 13 chromosomes. Meiotic recombination rates vary greatly along the chromosomes, retrotransposons are absent large regions with low levels meiotic recombination....
Agaricus bisporus is the model fungus for adaptation, persistence, and growth in humic-rich leaf-litter environment. Aside from its ecological role, A. has been an important component of human diet over 200 y worldwide cultivation "button mushroom" forms a multibillion dollar industry. We present two genomes, their gene repertoires transcript profiles on compost during mushroom formation. The genomes encode full repertoire polysaccharide-degrading enzymes similar to that wood-decayers....
Efficient lignin depolymerization is unique to the wood decay basidiomycetes, collectively referred as white rot fungi. Phanerochaete chrysosporium simultaneously degrades and cellulose, whereas closely related species, Ceriporiopsis subvermispora, also depolymerizes but may do so with relatively little cellulose degradation. To investigate basis for selective ligninolysis, we conducted comparative genome analysis of C. subvermispora P. . Genes encoding manganese peroxidase numbered 13 five...
• Parasitism and saprotrophic wood decay are two fungal strategies fundamental for succession nutrient cycling in forest ecosystems. An opportunity to assess the trade-off between these is provided by pathogen decayer Heterobasidion annosum sensu lato. We report annotated genome sequence transcript profiling, as well quantitative trait loci mapping, of one member species complex: H. irregulare. Quantitative critical pathogenicity, rich transposable elements, orphan secreted genes, were...
Genome analyses revealed in various basidiomycetes the existence of multiple genes for blue multi-copper oxidases (MCOs). Whole genomes are now available from saprotrophs, white rot and brown species, plant animal pathogens ectomycorrhizal species. Total numbers (from 1 to 17) types mco differ between analyzed species with no easy recognize connection gene distribution fungal life styles. Types might be present one absent another fungus. Distinct have been multiplied at speciation different...
Verticillium longisporum (VL) is one of the most devastating diseases in important oil crops from family Brassicaceae. The fungus resides for much time its life cycle extracellular fluid vascular system, where it cannot be controlled by conventional fungicides. To obtain insights into biology VL-plant interaction apoplast, secretome consisting proteome and metabolome as well cell wall properties were studied model Brassicaceae, Arabidopsis thaliana. VL infection resulted increased production...
The evolution of complex multicellularity has been one the major transitions in history life. In contrast to simple multicellular aggregates cells, it evolved only a handful lineages, including animals, embryophytes, red and brown algae, fungi. Despite being key step toward organisms, evolutionary origins genetic underpinnings are incompletely known. development fungal fruiting bodies from hyphal thallus represents transition that is inducible under laboratory conditions. We constructed...
Saprophytic filamentous fungi are ubiquitous micro-organisms that play an essential role in photosynthetic carbon recycling. The wood-decayer Pycnoporus cinnabarinus is a model fungus for the study of plant cell wall decomposition and used number applications green white biotechnology. 33.6 megabase genome P. was sequenced assembled, 10,442 predicted genes were functionally annotated using phylogenomic procedure. In-depth analyses carried out numerous enzyme families involved lignocellulosic...
Collectively classified as white-rot fungi, certain basidiomycetes efficiently degrade the major structural polymers of wood cell walls. A small subset these Agaricomycetes, exemplified by Phlebiopsis gigantea, is capable colonizing freshly exposed conifer sapwood despite its high content extractives, which retards establishment other fungal species. The mechanism(s) P. gigantea tolerates and metabolizes resinous compounds have not been explored. Here, we report annotated genome compare...
Engineering of fungal laccases with optimum catalytic activity at alkaline pH has been a long-lasting challenge. In this study, mutant library containing 3000 clones was obtained by error-prone PCR to adapt the laccase Lcc9 from basidiomycete Coprinopsis cinerea. After three rounds functional screening, amino acid changes (E116K, N229D, I393T) named PIE5 selected. showed an 8.5 and 8.0 against guaiacol 2,6-DMP when expressed in Pichia pastoris, representing first that possesses condition....