Agrobacterium-Mediated Transformation in Fungal Genomics
Summary
Agrobacterium-mediated transformation (ATMT) has emerged as a cornerstone technique for functional genomics in fungi. By harnessing the natural capacity of Agrobacterium tumefaciens to transfer T-DNA into eukaryotic hosts, researchers can achieve both targeted gene disruption and random insertional mutagenesis across a broad spectrum of fungal taxa. The method typically employs binary vectors carrying selectable markers and reporter genes, co-cultivated with fungal spores, mycelia or protoplasts under optimised conditions. ATMT affords high transformation efficiencies, single-copy insertions and stable integration, enabling detailed dissection of pathogenicity determinants, secondary metabolite pathways and symbiotic interactions. Its versatility spans plant pathogens, industrial workhorses and environmental decomposers, offering a unified platform for gene function studies, strain improvement and biotechnological innovation. Global adoption of ATMT has accelerated the annotation of fungal genomes, elucidated mechanisms of host infection, and facilitated metabolic engineering for enzyme production, bioremediation and novel bioactive compounds.
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Agrobacterium-Mediated Transformation in Fungal Genomics publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in agrobacterium-mediated transformation in fungal genomics across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Agrobacterium-mediated transformation (ATMT): A genetic engineering method using Agrobacterium tumefaciens to transfer T-DNA into fungal genomes for gene insertion or disruption.
T-DNA: The transfer DNA segment of the Agrobacterium Ti-plasmid that integrates into host chromosomes, carrying genes of interest.
Binary vector: A two-component plasmid system separating virulence genes (in Agrobacterium) from the T-DNA region, used to deliver selectable markers and reporters into fungi.
Co-cultivation: The period during which fungal cells and Agrobacterium are grown together under controlled conditions to facilitate T-DNA transfer and integration.
References
- Identifying pathogenicity-related genes in the pathogen Colletotrichum magnum causing watermelon anthracnose disease via T-DNA insertion mutagenesis. Frontiers in Microbiology (2023).
- Agrobacterium tumefaciens-Mediated Transformation of the Aquatic Fungus Phialemonium inflatum FBCC-F1546. Journal of Fungi (2023).
- Establishment of Agrobacterium tumefaciens-Mediated Transformation of Cladonia macilenta, a Model Lichen-Forming Fungus. Journal of Fungi (2021).
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