New Generation Markers for Fingerprinting and Structural Analysis of Fungal Community

Abstract

Fungi are one of the major components of global biodiversity playing a crucial role in ecological dynamics. More than a million fungal species make the global fungal diversity. Conventional methods of fungal identification and community analysis largely relied on morphometric studies, sequencing internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and first generation molecular markers like RAPD and RFLP. Although, identification of fungal species or strains is done routinely on the basis of ITS region but use of new markers based on histone genes, elongation factors, mating type genes or start codon regions are also becoming quite handy in identification and diagnostics. With the advent of molecular biology and sequencing technology, new molecular tools like denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis, temperature gradient gel electrophoresis, single strand conformation polymorphism, amplified ribosomal DNA restriction analysis, amplified ribosomal intergenic spacer restriction analysis are being increasingly used for fungal community analysis and ecological studies due to their higher resolution, speed and accuracy. Next generation sequencing techniques have also enabled us to understand the actual population structure of a particular habitat through metagenome sequencing. These next generation molecular markers and tools will surely make us understand the fungal diversity and community structure in a far better way and enable us to conserve this biological treasure.