This Science in Developing Countries award will support the research collaboration of T. Kent Kirk of the University of Wisconsin and Rafael Vicuna of the Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile. The project aims to introduce fungal research into the Chilean investigator's laboratory, and to characterize the lignin-degrading enzyme system of unusual lignin- degrading fungi from Chile and the U.S. Through this project, the Chilean scientist will learn techniques for physiological, biochemical, and genetic studies with filamentous fungi. His will become the first laboratory in Chile with expertise in the molecular genetics of higher filamentous fungi, and one of the few working with these fungi in any capacity. One U.S. and two Chilean strains of lignin- degrading fungi will be studied. Enzymes they produce will be identified and characterized. Conditions for optimal enzyme production and efficient lignin mineralization will be determined. The investigators' past collaboration has shown that bacteria exert only minor action on polymeric lignin. Thus, the Chilean researcher now aims to focus on fungi. The ligninolytic fungi have substantial potential for practical applications in Chile and U.S., particularly for the paper pulping industry. Both the U.S. and Chilean sides will benefit from the basic information generated by their research.
