SCORPION TOXIN MAKES FUNGUS DEADLY TO INSECT PESTS
SOURCE: University of Maryland, USA
AUTHOR: Press Release, by Kelly Blake
URL: http://www.newsdesk.umd.edu/scitech/release.cfm?ArticleID=1542
DATE: 12.11.2007
University of Maryland entomology professor Raymond St. Leger has discovered how to use scorpion genes to create a hypervirulent fungus that can kill specific insect pests, including mosquitoes that carry malaria and a beetle that destroys coffee crops, but does not contaminate the environment as chemical pesticides do.
Mushrooms sprout drug-producing powers
By Katrina Megget
26/06/2007- The simple, run-of-the-mill, salad-variety mushroom has upped its super powers to become a potential future disease-busting hero, according to US researchers.
A genetic modification is all it would take for the common button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) to become the new Superman as a therapeutic protein-producing factory, taking the wind out of conventional cell lines.
Genetically Engineered Fungus Bites Back at the Crops It's Meant to Save
New Scientist (UK)
September 28, 2002
Bob Holmes
FOR the first time, a fungus has been genetically modified to be more deadly
to the weed it blights. The snag is that the GM fungus kills crop plants as
well.
While the modified fungus will not be released as a result of the findings,
the case shows how genetic modification can have unintended consequences. It
is also proof, were any needed, that biotechnology could be harnessed to
create weapons that attack crops (see "'Act now' plea on bioterror threat").
Gene Transfer Technology for Mushrooms
The Power and Potential for Significant Crop Improvement
C. Peter Romaine
Department of Plant Pathology
The Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA 16802
Birth of Recombinant DNA Technology
