Comparative genome analysis of fungi brings new knowledge to develop protein production

VTT's Research Scientist Mikko Arvas presents his doctoral thesis on 19 October at 12 at the University of Helsinki, Finland. He compared in his thesis the genomes of mould and yeast fungi. He also developed computational and laboratory methods for analysing the expression of the genome of Trichoderma reesei fungus.

Mould fungi are used for producing enzymes and other proteins. Enzymes are generally used in industrial food, pulp, textile and energy processes. Characteristics of biomass can be modified with the help of enzymes, e.g. in bleaching of jeans or paper. The Trichoderma reesei mould is especially known for its capability to produce proteins

efficiently.

Arvas compared computationally the genomes of mould and yeast fungi. The yeasts have half smaller genomes than moulds and they produce less proteins. The dissertation improves understanding of fungal genomes and the relationships of genomes and external characteristics i.e. phenotypes of fungi. This is important to successfully modify the genomes of fungi in order to enhance their protein productivity.

Arvas developed computational and laboratory methods to study gene expression and tested how these can be applied for Trichoderma reesei.

In addition, he studied gene expression of fungi in conditions relevant for protein production. He noticed novel expression responses that can partly explain the good protein productivity of the fungi Trichoderma reesei.