Fungal dimorphism involves extensive changes in the cell physiology and morphology in response to external signals producing drastic alterations in the cell wall structure and synthesis whose growth pattern changes from isodiametric (spherical) to polarized or vice versa. Because of this dimorphism has been the subject of extensive studies as a model for the differentiation processes occurring in eukaryotic organisms.
Additionally it is important to recall that the most important human pathogenic fungi and some plant pathogenic ones are dimorphic displaying different morphologies when growing as saprophytes or inside their hosts. This observation and the demonstration that mutants in specific genes that interfere with the dimorphic transition are non-virulent has suggested that this process might be a target for efficient antimycotic drugs.
This e-book includes several chapters on the most important and studied fungal models written by specialists discussing the biology of each species or genera the general aspects controlling their dimorphic transition the molecular aspects involved the use of them as models for understanding the bases of biochemical and cell differentiation and the importance of dimorphism in pathogenesis.
This e-book is recommended for scholars and researchers working or interested in human animal and plant pathogenesis fungal genetics molecular biology development evolution and differentiation.
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