The present invention relates to a field of genetically modified fungal cells and converting galacturonic acid to meso-galactaric acid, more precisely to a method of producing meso-galactaric acid. The invention further relates to recombinant fungal cells having a specific combination of modifications including but not limited to expression of uronate dehydrogenase enzyme, reduced D-galacturonic acid reductase activity, and furthermore reduced meso-galactaric acid catabolism, as well as uses and methods related thereto.

A Trichoderma reesei mutant strain has a function of a polypeptide consisting of the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 2 is reduced. A method of producing a protein includes a step of cultivating the Tricho-derma reesei mutant strain, and a method of producing a cellulase includes a step of cultivating the Trichoderma reesei mutant strain.

The present invention relates to a polynucleotide variant encoding a glycosyltransferase variant, and to nucleic acid constructs, vectors and host cells comprising said polynucleotide variant. The invention also relates to methods of producing a polypeptide of interest in host cells comprising said polynucleotide and/or glycosyltransferase variant.

The present invention is directed to methods and compositions for increasing a growth characteristic of a plant, increasing nutrient use efficiency of a plant, or improving a plant's ability to overcome biotic or abiotic stress comprising applying a composition comprising a fungal mycelia extract comprising piperidine and/or an analogue thereof (e.g., 6-oxopiperidine-2-carboxylic acid) and/or a salt thereof (e.g., 6-oxopiperidine-2-carboxylate), or any combination thereof to a plant, plant part, or to a propagation material of the plant.

Provided herein is a Trichoderma strain designated as TM17 and deposited under accession number NRRL 67984. The Trichoderma strain TM17 and a carrier may be used to make agricultural compositions. Plants comprising the Trichoderma strain TM17 or the agricultural compositions provided herein are also contemplated. Methods for inhibiting the growth of a microorganism on a plant are also provided and may include contacting the plant with an effective amount of the Trichoderma strain TM17 or agricultural compositions including the Trichoderma strain TM17 to inhibit the growth of the microorganism on the plant.

A mutant strain of a filamentous fungus of the genus Trichoderma having a reduced function of a polypeptide consisting of the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 2; and a method of producing a sugar from a cellulose-containing biomass, the method including: step a of producing a cellulase by cultivating a Trichoderma reesei mutant strain having a reduced function of a polypeptide consisting of the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 2, and step b of saccharifying the biomass by using the cellulase obtained in the step a.

A novel method of growing fungi is disclosed which uses an engineered artificial media and produces high density filamentous fungi biomats that can be harvested with a minimum of processing and from which fungal products such as antibiotics, proteins, and lipids can be isolated, the method resulting in lowered fungus cultivation costs for energy usage, oxygenation, water usage and waste stream production.

The present invention relates to a method for restoring sexual reproduction between two sterile, female strains of Trichoderma reesei using a helper strain MAT, said helper strain being a fertile female strain of Trichoderma reesei in which the sexual-type locus MAT has been eliminated.

A filamentous fungus mutant strain showing improved secretory protein production and a method of producing a protein using the filamentous fungus are provided. The method of producing a protein comprises a step of culturing a filamentous fungus mutant strain in which a function of tubulin is reduced or lost and collecting a protein from a culture product.

A novel method of growing fungi is disclosed which uses an engineered artificial media and produces high density filamentous fungi biomats that can be harvested with a minimum of processing and from which fungal products such as antibiotics, proteins, and lipids can be isolated, the method resulting in lowered fungus cultivation costs for energy usage, oxygenation, water usage and waste stream production.