This new edition provides a comprehensive look at the
molecular genetics and biochemical basis of fungal biology, covering important
model organisms such as Aspergilli while also integrating advances made with zygomycetes and basidiomycetes.

This book groups a total of 15 chapters authored by expert scholars in their
respective fields into four sections. Five chapters cover various aspects of
gene expression regulation. These range from regulation in organismal
interactions between parasitic fungi and their host plant, heavy metal stress
and global control of natural product genes to conidiation and regulation
through RNA interference. Two chapters are dedicated to signal transduction,
highlighting MAP-kinase-dependent signaling and heterotrimeric G-proteins.
Fungal carbohydrates are the subject of the third section, which addresses both
polymeric cell wall carbohydrates and trehalose as an important, low molecular
weight carbohydrate. The fourth section emphasizes the metabolism of major
elements (carbon, nitrogen, sulfur) and critical cellular pathways for primary
and secondary products.