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Nature 452, 42-43 (6 March 2008) | doi:10.1038/452042a; Published online 5 March 2008

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Genomics: Fungal symbiosis unearthed

Dan Cullen1

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Associations between plant roots and fungi are a feature of many terrestrial ecosystems. The genome sequence of a prominent fungal partner opens new avenues for studying such mycorrhizal interactions.

Plants and fungi often form marriages of convenience. In one form of this symbiotic relationship — an ectomycorrhizal association — long, branching fungal filaments known as hyphae ramify between cells of the root's outer layers, form a sheath around the root, and radiate outwards into the surrounding soil and litter.

  1. Dan Cullen is at the USDA Forest Products Laboratory, One Gifford Pinchot Drive, Madison, Wisconsin 53726, USA.
    Email: dcullen@facstaff.wisc.edu