Biology and biotechnology of Trichoderma |
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Authors: | André Schuster Monika Schmoll |
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Institution: | (1) Research Area Gene Technology and Applied Biochemistry, Institute of Chemical Engineering, Vienna University of Technology, Getreidemarkt 9/166-5, 1060 Vienna, Austria |
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Abstract: | Fungi of the genus Trichoderma are soilborne, green-spored ascomycetes that can be found all over the world. They have been studied with respect to various
characteristics and applications and are known as successful colonizers of their habitats, efficiently fighting their competitors.
Once established, they launch their potent degradative machinery for decomposition of the often heterogeneous substrate at
hand. Therefore, distribution and phylogeny, defense mechanisms, beneficial as well as deleterious interaction with hosts,
enzyme production and secretion, sexual development, and response to environmental conditions such as nutrients and light
have been studied in great detail with many species of this genus, thus rendering Trichoderma one of the best studied fungi with the genome of three species currently available. Efficient biocontrol strains of the genus
are being developed as promising biological fungicides, and their weaponry for this function also includes secondary metabolites
with potential applications as novel antibiotics. The cellulases produced by Trichoderma reesei, the biotechnological workhorse of the genus, are important industrial products, especially with respect to production of
second generation biofuels from cellulosic waste. Genetic engineering not only led to significant improvements in industrial
processes but also to intriguing insights into the biology of these fungi and is now complemented by the availability of a
sexual cycle in T. reesei/Hypocrea jecorina, which significantly facilitates both industrial and basic research. This review aims to give a broad overview on the qualities
and versatility of the best studied Trichoderma species and to highlight intriguing findings as well as promising applications. |
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