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Truffle Research in the Post-Genomics Era

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Abstract

The results originated in the frame of the genome sequencing project of the black truffle of Périgord (Tuber melanosporum) were published in 2010. Taking advantages from the sequencing project, which included automatic and manual annotation steps, specific studies were developed, in order to focus on specific gene categories (e.g. cell wall-related genes, carbohydrate metabolism, environmental response genes, etc.) and, among them, specific gene families. This has allowed us to have, together with the transcriptomic data obtained during the sequencing phase, new knowledge on metabolic processes that may happen during the complex life cycle of a symbiotic fungus, such as Tuber. The aim of this review is (i) to highlight the work that has been done in post-genomics stage to better understand the molecular mechanisms occurring during the interaction of this fungus with the host plant, as well as those involved in the formation of precious truffles and (ii) to describe the results derived from projects mainly devoted to truffle identification in processed products and quality monitoring, as well as to the contribution of bacteria to truffle aroma.

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Acknowledgments

The work has in part been funded by CNR, MIUR project Fungen™ PRIN 2007 and Regione Piemonte. The Tuber melanosporum genome sequencing project was a collaborative effort involving the Génoscope and the Tuber Genome Consortium. The Authors thank the truffle group in Torino and, in particular, Paola Bonfante, Stefano Ghignone, Fabiano Sillo and Elisa Zampieri.

Conflict of Interest

Raffaella Balestrini declares that she has no conflict of interest. Antonietta Mello declares that she has no conflict of interest. This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects.

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  1. Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection, CNR, c/o Department of Life Science and Systems Biology, CNR, Viale Mattioli 25, 10125, Torino, Italy

    Raffaella Balestrini & Antonietta Mello

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  1. Raffaella Balestrini
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Correspondence to Raffaella Balestrini or Antonietta Mello.

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Balestrini, R., Mello, A. Truffle Research in the Post-Genomics Era. Food Anal. Methods 8, 1815–1823 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12161-014-0064-8

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