Due to the fact that sexual organisms exchange and mix their genetic material when they breed, their traits can be more easily manipulated artificially. Under the assumption that Trichoderma reesei was asexual, scientists looking to improve the fungus were instead limited to techniques like dosing the fungus with radiation or chemicals in order to alter its genetic profile. But that process only created random or unpredictable mutations.
But for the first time since its discovery 50 years ago, scientists can now make the fungus have sex.
Past studies have shown that Trichoderma reesei is genetically identical to another species of fungus, Hypocrea jecorina, which it so happens is capable of sexual reproduction. The primary difference between the two organisms was that Hypocrea jecorina seemed capable of assuming both the male and female roles, whereas Trichoderma reesei seemed only capable of assuming the male role.
So scientists got a novel idea: Why not breed the male-oriented Trichoderma with a female-oriented Hypocrea? The result was a successful mating– the Trichoderma lured into having sex could now be artificially selected for their advantageous genetic traits.
Found by David Guaraglia.
Since when do you have to force a male to have sex? Throw some beer in and you have to force him to stop.
The world’s littlest dating service.
or
Dr. Evil decided it was time to have “The Talk” with his samples.
“Past studies have shown that Trichoderma reesei is genetically identical to another species of fungus, Hypocrea jecorina…”
Um… that’s impossible. If they are genetically identical they can’t be of different species. Even identical twins aren’t genetically identical.
#3, Jim: I’m thinking that’s a real problem with pop science. Writers trying to simplify things for the layperson by creating well-intentioned but misinformed metaphors and analogies, such as the recent post about galaxies moving faster than light.
Meanwhile only 32% of Americans believe in evolution.
Thus:
http://pewresearch.org/databank/dailynumber/?NumberID=818
There go those godless scientists – forcing unnatural sex on innocent creatures.
Seriously though – there will be unintended and unforeseeable consequences.
There ALWAYS are.
Yeah… they might accidentally discover a cure for something.
not so surprising at this point… predictably lame
#5 if god wanted them to believe in evolution he would’ve giveth them a functional brain… alas he didn’t, hence “faith” is all they have have
I foresee PETA advocating for the rights of the fungus.
I hate fucking fungus.
[Well, don't then. - ed.]
“# 11 Inbread Georgian said, on August 15th, 2009 at 10:55 am
I hate fucking fungus.”
Not to worry. Trichoderma reesei now has that job….
america, land of happy fungus…
#11 – I’ll pretty much fuck anything.
I foresee the Christian Taliban to ensure no government funding is used for this disgusting, slimy, slippery and wet sex.
If those scientists ask me nicely, I’ll have sex with the pin-up of the day.
I’ve always wondered why the oil eating fungus/bacteria haven’t established colonies in the oil reserves of the world. After millions of years, you’d think there would be nothing but gray goo down there.
Any rational explanation?—it only takes ONE fungus to get into contact with a pool of oil and away they go?
Fungus on your scrotum can be particularly bothersome.
How come a single oil eating fungus/bacteria hasn’t found a patch of oil and started reproducing turning into gray goo?
Seems like a kind of vacuum that nature is supposed to abhor?
Unusual: first time my response won’t post. Is it because I capitalized darwin in the Usename? I’ve done that before for other words.
Why is DU censoring the adulation of mr darwin?
and why haven’t oil eating organism gotten into the oil reserves turning it into gray goo?