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Title: Use of functional genomics to assess the climate change impact on Aspergillus flavus and aflatoxin production

Author
item Gilbert, Matthew
item Mack, Brian
item PAYNE, GARY - North Carolina State University
item Bhatnagar, Deepak

Submitted to: World Mycotoxin Journal
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/28/2016
Publication Date: 12/5/2016
Citation: Gilbert, M.K., Mack, B.M., Payne, G.A., Bhatnagar, D. 2016. Use of functional genomics to assess the climate change impact on Aspergillus flavus and aflatoxin production. World Mycotoxin Journal. 9(5):665-672. https://doi.org/10.3920/WMJ2016.2049.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3920/WMJ2016.2049

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Aspergillus flavus is an opportunistic pathogenic fungus that infects several crops of agricultural importance, among them, corn, cotton, and peanuts. Once established as a pathogen the fungus may secrete secondary metabolites commonly known as mycotoxins, that if consumed by humans or animals may result in liver damage or other health impairments. Rising global temperatures, disrupted precipitation patterns and increased CO2 levels that are associated with future climate conditions have all been shown to impact the growth and toxigenic potential of A. flavus. The application of current technologies in the field of functional genomics will allow researchers to address and better understand the underlying transcriptomic response to climate change.