Abstract: The invention relates to the production of biofuels, proteins, peptides and other value-added compounds from crude carbon sources. The inventors identified genes encoding novel pentose transporters, in particular transporters of L-arabinose and/or D-xylose. Regulation of the Aspergillus niger genes by xlnR and araR was instrumental in the identification of these genes and their substrate specificities. Provided are novel pentose transporters and their encoding nucleic acids. Also provided are host cells (over)expressing a transporter, and industrial applications thereof, for instance in biofuel production.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for identification of anti-fungal agents and their mode of actions. In particular, it relates to cell wall disturbing anti-fungal agents and to an assay to identify them. More particularly, it relates to a screening method for the identification of an anti-fungal compound, which method comprises (i) contacting a potential anti-fungal compound with a polypeptide which is involved in cell wall synthesis; and then (ii) identifying the effect which the potential anti-fungal compound has on the activity of the polypeptide, whereby reduced polypeptide activity is indicative for anti-fungal activity of the potential anti-fungal compound. It also relates to an overexpressing host cell and to a kit for performing the assay.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fungus which produces substantially no functional protein with regulating activity on the transcription of genes which are involved in cell wall stress response. It also relates to a method for screening for antifungal agents, in particular to antifungal agents which target the cell wall. It also relates to a kit for screening for antifungal agents which disturb cell wall biogenesis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fungal host cells that are transformed with a nucleic acid construct encoding a fungal oxygen-binding proteins or fragments thereof that comprise the oxygen-binding domain. Upon transformation of the host cell with the construct, the oxygen-binding protein confers to the host cell improved fermentation characteristics as compared to untransformed host cells. These characteristics include e.g. increases in oxygen uptake rates, biomass densities, volumetric productivities and/or product yields. The invention further relates to fermentation processes in which the host cells are used and to fungal oxygen binding proteins, in particular fungal flavohemoglobins and hemoglobin domains, and to nucleotides sequences encoding these proteins.