title: Physical methods for genetic transformation of fungi and yeast.
abstract: The production of transgenic fungi is a routine process. Currently, it is possible to insert genes from other fungi, viruses, bacteria and even animals, albeit with low efficiency, into the genomes of a number of fungal species. Genetic transformation requires the penetration of the transgene through the fungal cell wall, a process that can be facilitated by biological or physical methods. Novel methodologies for the efficient introduction of specific genes and stronger promoters are needed to increase production levels. A possible solution to this problem is the recently discovered shock-wave-mediated transformation. The objective of this article is to review the state of the art of the physical methods used for genetic fungi transformation and to describe some of the basic physics and molecular biology behind them.
authors: Centro de Física Aplicada y Tecnología Avanzada, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, A.P. 1-1010, C.P. 76000, Querétaro, QRO, Mexico. Electronic address: analeonor@fata.unam.mx.
authors: Ana Leonor
authors: AL
authors: Rivera
authors: Unidad de Biotecnología e Ingeniería Genética de Plantas, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN, A.P. 629, C.P. 36500, Irapuato, GTO, Mexico. Electronic address: dmagana@ira.cinvestav.mx.
authors: Denis
authors: D
authors: Magaña-Ortíz
authors: Unidad de Biotecnología e Ingeniería Genética de Plantas, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN, A.P. 629, C.P. 36500, Irapuato, GTO, Mexico. Electronic address: mgomez@ira.cinvestav.mx.
authors: Miguel
authors: M
authors: Gómez-Lim
authors: Centro de Física Aplicada y Tecnología Avanzada, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, A.P. 1-1010, C.P. 76000, Querétaro, QRO, Mexico. Electronic address: francisco@fata.unam.mx.
authors: Francisco
authors: F
authors: Fernández
authors: Centro de Física Aplicada y Tecnología Avanzada, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, A.P. 1-1010, C.P. 76000, Querétaro, QRO, Mexico. Electronic address: loske@fata.unam.mx.
authors: Achim M
authors: AM
authors: Loske
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019470:Biolistics; D018274:Electroporation; D005658:Fungi / Q000235:genetics*; D005818:Genetic Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D014170:Transformation, Genetic; D014618:Vacuum; D015003:Yeasts / Q000235:genetics*
keywords: Agitation with glass beads; Biolistics; Electroporation; Fungi; Genetic transformation; Shock waves