Linking ‘omics’ to function unlocks the biotech potential of non-model fungi

Abstract Non-model fungi are increasingly used in biotechnology, spanning medical, industrial, and even agricultural applications. Long read sequencing technologies have led to a rapid rise in the number of high-quality sequenced fungal genomes and transcriptomes available for study. This information, coupled with bioinformaticanalyses, allows access to a striking variety of potential genes to target for downstream characterization and incorporation into bioproductionstrategies. However, non-model organisms are notoriously difficult to cultivate and genetically modify, limiting the speed at which in silico discoveries can be tested and translated into application. It is critical to combine sequencing information and systems biologyto guide both genetic engineering and heterologous expressionstrategies to harness the biotech potential of non-model fungi. This review highlights recent examples where bioinformaticswas used to identify genes and pathways of interest that were later exploited to produce biotechnologicallyimportant secondary metabolites, transporters, and lignocellulose active enzymes. We also highlight opportunities where modern approaches, such as genome-scale models and genome editing, may be used to rapidly improve our understanding of non-model fungi and fully exploit them for synthetic biologyand biotechnologyapplications.