Fungi use highly diverse approaches for plant biomass conversion as revealed through bioinformatic analysis

Abstract

Plant biomass is a magnificent renewable resource and therefore is of major importance for ecology and the global carbon cycle. In nature, fungi play central roles in the degradation of plant biomass, as they are highly efficient degraders of plant polysaccharides. Their ability to break down complex plant polysaccharides, such as cellulose and hemicellulose, into simple sugars is essential for the recycling of organic material in ecosystems. When it comes to the conversion of plant biomass, two crucial aspects of plant biomass conversion are of paramount importance: primary sugar metabolism and the extensive repertoire of Carbohydrate-Active enZymes (CAZymes) involved in the degradation of complex plant biomass substrates. Therefore, this thesis enhanced our comprehension of the diversity of primary carbon metabolism and the enzymatic capabilities of fungi. By investigating these aspects, we aimed to unravel the intricate mechanisms underlying fungal biomass conversion and shed light on the evolutionary adaptations and functional variations across fungi. To conclude, this thesis showcases using a combination of bioinformatic and omics approaches could help us to obtain a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in plant biomass conversion by fungi, and the differences in these approaches across the fungal kingdom.