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Abstract
Chytrid fungi play key ecological roles in aquatic ecosystems, and some species cause a devastating skin disease in frogs and salamanders. Additionally, chytrids occupy a unique phylogenetic position– sister to the well-studied Dikarya (the group including yeasts, sac fungi, and mushrooms) and related to animals– making chytrids useful for answering important evolutionary questions. Despite their importance, little is known about the basic cell biology of chytrids. A major barrier to understanding chytrid biology has been a lack of genetic tools with which to test molecular hypotheses. Medina and colleagues recently developed a protocol for Agrobacterium -mediated transformation of Spizellomyces punctatus. In this manuscript, we describe the general procedure including planning steps and expected results. We also provide in-depth, step-by-step protocols and video guides for performing the entirety of this transformation procedure on protocols.io (dx.doi.org/10.17504/protocols.io.x54v9dd1pg3e/v1).
- Received:
- Accepted:
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Funding
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Pew Charitable Trusts
(Award Pew Scholar Award)
- Principle Award Recipient: LillianK Fritz-Laylin
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National Science Foundation
(Award IOS-1827257)
- Principle Award Recipient: LillianK Fritz-Laylin
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Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation
(Award 9337)
- Principle Award Recipient: LillianK Fritz-Laylin