Objectif Mushrooms are the sexual reproductive structures of basidiomycetes. Much remains to be learned about the molecular regulation of mushroom development. Only a few genes have been implicated in this process, but their exact function remains unknown. Schizophyllum commune is a model system for mushroom-forming fungi. It was recently shown that this species shows the highest intraspecies DNA variability in eukaryotes with 150 SNPs per 1000 base pairs, yet they can still reproduce sexually. This hypervariabity is also illustrated by variability in the response to environmental factors that initiate mushroom development and by the differences in morphology within this species. I propose a functional genomics approach to elucidate the molecular genetics of mushroom development.We have a collection of 100 S. commune strains sampled world-wide. I propose to leverage the extraordinary diversity among these strains. I will identify genes that explain differences in mushroom morphology and in responses to environmental stimuli such as light and CO2. The genes/alleles responsible for these phenotypes will by mapped by genome sequencing followed by bulk segregant analysis.Transcription factors (TFs) are expected to play an important role in regulation of mushroom development. Therefore I propose to systematically study TF function by generating a knock-down collection of all predicted 313 TFs. The phenotypes of the resulting strains will be analyzed and target genes of TFs will be identified by RNA-Seq and ChIP-Seq.The genes identified by these strategies will subsequently be analyzed to determine their function. My initial results demonstrate the feasibility of this approach. The availability of the strain collection, the available molecular toolbox, and my strong expertise both in genomics and molecular biology of mushroom development will enable me to take a huge step forward in our understanding of mushroom development. Champ scientifique natural sciencesbiological sciencesmolecular biologymolecular geneticsnatural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsDNAnatural sciencesbiological sciencesmicrobiologymycologynatural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsgenomes Mots‑clés Development developmental genetics and pattern formation in Fungi Eukaryotic microbiology Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC) Main Programme Thème(s) ERC-2016-STG - ERC Starting Grant Appel à propositions ERC-2016-STG Voir d’autres projets de cet appel Régime de financement ERC-STG - Starting Grant Institution d’accueil UNIVERSITEIT UTRECHT Contribution nette de l'UE € 1 500 000,00 Adresse HEIDELBERGLAAN 8 3584 CS Utrecht Pays-Bas Voir sur la carte Région West-Nederland Utrecht Utrecht Type d’activité Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Liens Contacter l’organisation Opens in new window Site web Opens in new window Participation aux programmes de R&I de l'UE Opens in new window Réseau de collaboration HORIZON Opens in new window Coût total € 1 500 000,00 Bénéficiaires (1) Trier par ordre alphabétique Trier par contribution nette de l'UE Tout développer Tout réduire UNIVERSITEIT UTRECHT Pays-Bas Contribution nette de l'UE € 1 500 000,00 Adresse HEIDELBERGLAAN 8 3584 CS Utrecht Voir sur la carte Région West-Nederland Utrecht Utrecht Type d’activité Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Liens Contacter l’organisation Opens in new window Site web Opens in new window Participation aux programmes de R&I de l'UE Opens in new window Réseau de collaboration HORIZON Opens in new window Coût total € 1 500 000,00