#neurospora

[electronicsquid]

Neurospora research

(Herbert Gehr. 1947)

[geekification]

Our PI just had a birthday. This is how we celebrated his 42nd :)

[geekification]

My PI just handed me a protocol from his post doc written on a paper towel. Yes, I did put it in a sheet protector!

[geekification]

Ascospore germination on minimal media.

[geekification]

[geekification]

Macro image of Neurospora crassa

[rustbeltscientist]

Every time I write about a Neurospora gene I think -- I should have worked in yeast where there are half as many genes and twice as much information. A very large portion of Neurospora "genes" have no known function, homology or domains.

[rustbeltscientist]

Neurospora growing on a sugar cane stalk . Neurospora is efficient at using dead plant matter, >130 genes for hydrolyzing complex carbohydrates found in plant cell walls (Pectin, Cellulose, Chitin etc) are encoded in a genome with ~10,000 total genes although the plant pathogens Aspergillus and Fusarium have an even greater number. These enzymes are then secreted into the environment.