| The phylum basidiomycota
consists of fungi that produce spores that are formed outside a
pedestal-like structure, the basidium. The members of this phylum,
known as basidiomycetes, include all the fungi with gills or pores,
including the familiar mushrooms and bracket fungi.
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In addition to the commercial and culinary importance of edible basidiomycetes such as Agaricus bisporus, the common "pizza" mushroom, and Lentinula edodes, the Shiitake mushroom, basidiomycetes are important as plant and human pathogens. Cryptococcus neoformans is a human pathogen of considerable importance, especially in individuals with AIDS or other conditions that reduce the effectiveness of the immune response. Ustilago maydis or corn smut is a significant agricultural pathogen. Several sequencing projects are under way or completed. See the genome link below for the status of basidiomycete genome projects, and links to sites with data. We have attempted here to provide an index of important basidiomycete species and the labs that are actively engaged in research involving them. |
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