Special Interest Group Meeting

Anaerobic fungi: Neocallimastigomycota

Organiser

Gareth Griffith, Aberystwyth University, UK

Since their discovery by Colin Orpin in the 1970's, the anaerobic fungi, now members of the newly erected phylum Neocallimastigomycota, have aroused the curiosity of mycologists, not only because of their distinctive physiology but also because of their biotechnological potential, both with regard to more efficient animal nutrition and also in the context of biomass conversion or biofuel production.

With a genome sequencing prorgramme underway (Piromyces E2) and a second planned (Orpinomyces SR2), recently developed culture-independent methods are also facilitating the study of these fungi in nature and it is likely that novel taxa will continue to be discovered.

The aim of this symposium is to bring together mycologists interested in anaerobic fungi to share recent discoveries and to discuss how best to move forward research in this area. For instance, what genomic and culture resources are available and how can these best be shared for mutual benefit?

The programme for this session is well-advance and presentations planned from Scott Baker (Pacific NW National Laboratory), Mark van der Giezen (Exeter), Kerstin Voigt (Jena), Gordon Beakes (Newcastle), Katerina Fliegerová (Prague) and Audra Liggenstoffer (Oklahoma).

Speakers

Gordon Beakes, University of Newcastle, UK
“Heroes and Villains” - a brief reflection on the importance of chytridiomycete fungi

Scott Baker, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, USA
Genome sequencing of anaerobic fungi at the DOE Joint Genome Institute

Kate Fliegerova, Czech Republic
Neocallimastigomycota: Aliens among Fungi

Audra Liggenstoffer, Oklahoma State University, USA
Anaerobic Gut Fungi in Herbivores: Phylogenetic Diversity and Community Patterns

Mark van der Giezen, Univeristy of Exeter, UK
Adaptations to an anaerobic niche: hydrogenosomes in the Neocallimastigomycota

Kerstin Voigt, Friedrich Schiller University in Jena, Germany
Towards a Comprehensive Family Structure of the Neocallimastigomycota Based on Genealogical Concordance Phylogenetic Recognition