Mushroom-forming fungi are among the most potent wood-degraders. In contrast to ascomycete fungi, many of these basidiomycete mushroom-forming fungi can degrade all the components of wood (including cellulose, lignin, hemicellulose and pectin). Many enzymes have been identified that can degrade the various components of wood, but little is known about the regulation of this process.
The aim of this project is to identify the genes involved in this process, especially regarding their regulation.
Figure. The mushroom-forming fungus Schizophyllum commune growing on wood.