Kurt M. LaButti

A geothermal amoeba sets a new upper temperature limit for eukaryotes

This study identifies a geothermal amoeba that divides at 63°C, setting a new upper temperature limit for eukaryotes and challenging existing paradigms about eukaryotic thermal tolerance.

Evidence for the acquisition of a proteorhodopsin-like rhodopsin by a chrysophyte-infecting giant virus

This paper describes the isolation and characterization of the first cultivated chrysophyte-infecting virus, ChrysoHV, which encodes a proteorhodopsin not previously found in viral genomes.

Fungal microbial enrichment method enables fungal metagenomics directly from human clinical samples

This paper introduces fMEM, a fungal microbial enrichment method that enables direct fungal metagenomic analysis from clinical samples, recovering MAGs with high completeness and resolving clinically relevant genes.

Comparative genomics reveals shared accessory regions between members of two Fusarium species complexes virulent on garden pea

The paper identifies shared accessory regions between two Fusarium species complexes that cause garden pea disease, suggesting a common origin and horizontal transfer of virulence genes.

Prediction of Lignocellulose Degradation Potential of Wood Decay Fungi using Comparative Genomic Analysis

The paper predicts the lignocellulose degradation potential of Crepidotus cesatii by comparing its genomic features to white- and brown-rot fungi.

Genomic and Transcriptomic Characterization of Carbohydrate-Active Enzymes in the Anaerobic Fungus Neocallimastix cameroonii var. constans

This paper characterizes the genomic and transcriptomic features of Neocallimastix cameroonii var. constans, an anaerobic fungus, revealing its capacity to degrade lignocellulose and identifying key carbohydrate-active enzymes.

Comparative genomics of the extremophile Cryomyces antarcticus and other psychrophilic Dothideomycetes

The paper uses comparative genomics to analyze Cryomyces antarcticus and other psychrophilic fungi to identify genetic features associated with extremophilic traits.

High phenotypic and genotypic plasticity among strains of the mushroom-forming fungus Schizophyllum commune

This study examines phenotypic and genotypic variation in Schizophyllum commune strains, finding high diversity in mushroom development and lignocellulose degradation, with conserved genes for these traits across genomes.

Genomic innovation and horizontal gene transfer shaped plant colonization and biomass degradation strategies of a globally prevalent fungal pathogen

This study identifies horizontal gene transfer events in Armillaria fungi that contribute to plant biomass degradation and pathogenicity.

Enemy or ally: a genomic approach to elucidate the lifestyle of Phyllosticta citrichinaensis

This study compares the genomes of pathogenic and endophytic Phyllosticta species colonizing citrus to determine the lifestyle of Phyllosticta citrichinaensis, finding it to be intermediate between the two.

Secondary metabolism drives ecological breadth in the Xylariaceae

The paper shows that secondary metabolism gene clusters in Xylariales fungi are linked to broader ecological roles and increased gene diversity.

Evolutionary innovations through gain and loss of genes in the ectomycorrhizal Boletales

This study identifies genomic traits of ectomycorrhizal transitions in Boletales by comparing gene repertoires and reconstructing gene duplication/loss histories.