The genomes of fermentative Saccharomyces

C. R. Biol. ISI Document Delivery No.: 809CL Times Cited: 2 Cited Reference Count: 75 Dequin, Sylvie Casaregola, Serge INRA; European Community [FP7-228310] This work was supported by INRA. This work has received funding from the European Community's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7, 2007-2013), Research Infrastructures action, under the grant agreement No. FP7-228310 (EMbaRC project). Elsevier france-editions scientifiques medicales elsevier Paris Si; Many different yeast species can take part in spontaneous fermentations, but the species of the genus Saccharomyces, including Saccharomyces cerevisiae in particular, play a leading role in the production of fermented beverages and food. In recent years, the development of whole-genome scanning techniques, such as DNA chip-based analysis and high-throughput sequencing methods, has considerably increased our knowledge of fermentative Saccharomyces genomes, shedding new light on the evolutionary history of domesticated strains and the molecular mechanisms involved in their adaptation to fermentative niches. Genetic exchange frequently occurs between fermentative Saccharomyces and is an important mechanism for generating diversity and for adaptation to specific ecological niches. We review and discuss here recent advances in the genomics of Saccharomyces species and related hybrids involved in major fermentation processes. (C) 2011 Published by Elsevier Masson SAS on behalf of Academie des sciences.