The Aspergillus fumigatus gene and non-coding RNA knockout library (360G-Wellcome-208396_Z_17_Z)

The filamentous fungus, Aspergillus fumigatus is the most common mould pathogen of man. It is thought to be the causative agent in over 600k deaths annually with global incidence of allergic and chronic disease caused by this agent exceeding 4.8 and 3 million respectively. Worldwide expenditure on antifungal drugs will exceed $13.9 billion by 2018. Hospitalisation heightens the financial burden of fungal disease as antifungal agents represents only 17% of the total healthcare cost. Our understanding of the molecular factors underpinning disease and drug resistance is exceptionally limited and is guided primarily by research on non-pathogenic fungi such as the model yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In an attempt to address this shortfall in our knowledge, and to support the A. fumigatus research community, we have begun the process of generating a genome-wide knockout library. To date we have amassed 3872 genetically tagged knockout mutants. Here we propose to complete this resource by finalising the library to include all c 10,000 genes and non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) and develop methods for their use. In addition we will update genome annotations to include details of ncRNAs and generate comparative data of the essential gene set in a different genetic background of A. fumigatus.