Scientists are developing 'DNA-barcode' for mushrooms

Comparing a short-variable part of the whole genome, provides a simple possibility to classify the fungi and mould, on the basis of their DNA sequence. Because this method is reminiscent of machine-readable bar codes, one speaks of 'DNA barcoding'. Because of the multitude of mould genomes is taken until now to find a suitable part of the DNA as a general standard, says the university. The researchers, by using the DNA barcodes want not only to classify fungal species hitherto unknown, but also to detect mushrooms and fungi, which are harmful to humans, animals or plants.