Development of a molecular genetics and cell biology toolbox for the filamentous fungus Diplodia sapinea.

Diplodia sapinea (Fr.) Fuckel is a widespread fungal pathogen affecting conifers worldwide. Infections can lead to severe symptoms, such as shoot blight, canker, tree death, or blue stain in harvested wood, especially in Pinus species.

Highly conserved, but highly specific: Somatic cell-cell fusion in filamentous fungi.

The development of ascomycete fungal colonies involves cell-cell fusion at different growth stages. In the model fungus Neurospora crassa, communication of two fusing cells is mediated by an unusual signaling mechanism, in which the two partners take turns in signal sending and receiving. In recent years, the molecular basis of this unusual cellular behavior has started to unfold, indicating the presence of an excitable signaling network.