THE NETHERLANDS – Life science company DSM has determined the complete DNA sequence of a key production organism, the fungus Aspergillus niger.

The sequencing is the first step in one of the largest genome projects in Europe and integrates a number of techniques, including high throughput DNA sequencing, DNA micro-analyses, proteomics, metabolomics and bio-informatics.

DSM began research into the fungi in July 2000 when only 1 to 2% of the genes were known. Its sequencing required the identification of over 13,000 genes encoded in approximately 34.5 million base pairs.

Knowledge of A niger’s DNA sequence allows a deeper understanding of its physiological behaviour, says DSM, and will result in improved efficiency of a wide range of fermented-based production processes. This could lead to lower costs and accelerated development of new and improved products.

DSM’s partners in the project included the German companies Gene Alliance and Biomax, and the universities of Amsterdam and Utrecht.