SEQUENCED STRAINS OF ASPERGILLUS SPECIES

Abstract

Aspergillus is a large genus of common contaminants having more than 180 species, a fifth of which is frequently recovered from humans and other animals. The clinically important among these are Aspergillus fumigatus causing aspergillosis followed by A.flavus, A.niger, A.terreus and A.nidulans. These all species are either of clinical or industrial importance. In addition, A.nidulans has been used as an excellent genetical test-system for the in-depth study of genetical damages of various kinds ranging from point mutation to large chromosomal aberrations (Jha et al. 2009).There has been substantial investment in sequencing and initial annotation of the first filamentous fungal genomes. Genomics give new tools for fungal biology that should allow more rapid transfer of ideas, knowledge and expertise between specialist areas. The aspergilli provide a good example of what can be gained from genome sequences and highlights some of the problems. The interest in this group comes from their importance as pathogens and allergens of humans (Aspergillus fumigatus; Neosartorya fischeri), plant pathogens (Aspergillus flavus; Aspergillus parasiticus), industrial organisms (Aspergillus oryzae; Aspergillus niger; Aspergillus terreus) and as a model organism (Aspergillus nidulans). Here we are trying to gather information studied by the various researchers.