About the Book
Since the initial report of the amplification of specific DNA fragments using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 1985, this technique has revolutionized molecular biology. It enables the production of large quantities of DNA from minute amounts of sample material, which can then be readily analysed. This facility has had an enormous influence on the way both fundamental and diagnostic questions are approached and its use is now considered essential for molecular work in all branches of biology. The purpose of this book is to highlight the wide-ranging applications of PCR in pure and applied mycology and to increase understanding of its potential benefits. After a brief overview, a group of internationally-renowned mycologists give definitive descriptions of the use of PCR in their own specialized fields. These include fungal gene expression and cloning, taxonomy and speciation, fungal mycobionts, mycorrhizal fungi, entomopathogenic fungi, mycotoxin-producing fungi, diagnosis of fungal infections in animals, seed-borne diseases, fungal/plant interactions and applications with industrially-important fungi. Finally, potential future directions for PCR work in mycology are discussed.
Table of Contents:
1: Polymerase Chain Reaction in Mycology: an Overview, V Edel, INRA-CMSE, Dijon Cedex, FranceGene Cloning using PCR, S Goller, M Gorfer, R L Mach and C P Kubicek, Technische Universität Wien, Austria 2: DDRT-PCR for Screening of Fungal Gene Expression, E P Benito, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain and J A L van Kan, Wageningen Agricultural University, The Netherlands 3: Interpretation of PCR Methods for Species Definition, P D Bridge and D K Arora 4: PCR Applications in Studies of Lichen-forming Fungi, A Crespo, O F Cubero and M Grube, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain 5: Applications of PCR for Studying the Biodiversity of Mycorrhizal Fungi, L Lanfranco, S Perotto and P Bonfante, Dipartimento di Biologia Vegetale dell’Università, Torino, Italy 6: PCR Applications in Fungal Phylogeny, S Takamatsu, Laboratory of Plant Pathology, Mie University, Japan 7: PCR Applications to the Taxonomy of Entomopathogenic Fungi, F Driver and R Milner, CSIRO, Institute of Plant Production and Processing, Canberra, Australia 8: Application of PCR in Fungal Biotechnology, W V Burnett, S-J D Chiang, J D Basch and R P Elander, Technical Operations Biotechnology Development, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, New York, USA 9: Application of PCR in Studying Lignocellulose Degradation by Basidiomycetes, C A Reddy and T M D’Souza, NSF Center for Microbial Ecology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, USA 10: PCR Methods for the Detection of Mycotoxin-producing Fungi, R Geisen, Federal Research Centre for Nutrition,Germany 11: PCR Diagnostics in Medical Mycology, T Hughes, T R Rogers and K Haynes, Royal Postgraduate Medical School, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK 12: Applications of PCR in Fungal-Plant Interactions, E Ward, A Tahiri-Alaoui, and J F Antoniw, Institute for Arable Crops Research, Rothamsted, Harpenden, UK 13: PCR as a Tool for the Investigation of Seed-borne Disease, D A Pearce, Selby, Buckinghamshire, UK 14: Future Directions for PCR in Mycology, S Sreenivasaprasad and P Mills, Horticulture Research International, Wellesbourne, UK 15: Index
