Award details

204h: Development of transformation and associated technology for the cutivated mushroom

Reference	BBS/E/H/00031426
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Dr Timothy Elliott
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	University of Warwick
Department	Warwick HRI
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	291,188
Status	Completed
Type	Institute Project
Start date	01/04/1997
End date	31/03/2000
Duration	36 months

Abstract

The life-cycle and mating-type system of the cultivated mushroom, Agaricus bisporus, limit outcrossing and the use of standard breeding methods for strain improvement. Development of a transformation system allows circumvention of the natural breeding system by enabling the direct introduction of novel genetic information. The aim is to develop a transformation system generally applicable to homobasidiomycete fungi, including the edible species. Agaricus bisporus is the primary target, and the approach being followed is the cloning of homologous genes which can complement auxotrophies or be used in positively selectable marker systems. Limiting factors are the lack of efficient vectors and an effective delivery system. The work constitutes fundamental research underpinning genetic improvement of horticultural crops, with emphasis on stability of traits affecting appearance and quality. It addresses the Techology Foresight Priorities under Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment, which call for more investment in biotechnology, and the BBSRC response under the Agricultural Sytems Directorate for developing new protocols for gene characterisation and transfer. Targets for transformation of the mushroom include specifically those genes involved in senescence, genes involved in all aspects of growth and development and the genes controlling breeding biology Further development of production technology is dependent on characterisation of genes involved in nutrition, development and pest and diseases Development of transformation systems would lead to new strains with enhanced characteristics in terms of production and quality. Information from the upstream control of sequenced mushroom genes is being exploited to develop vector systems for transformation of the mushroom.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Plant & Microbial Sciences (PMS)
Research Topics	X – not assigned to a current Research Topic
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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