Forty-six chapters are presented by Borkovich (plant pathology and microbiology, U. of California at Riverside) and Ebbole (plant pathology and microbiology, Texas A&M U.) in an effort to synthesize and rationalize the cellular and molecular biology research on filamentous fungis, particularly in terms of advances in genomics in recent years, and provide a "first point of reference" on these organisms that can double as a handbook for professional researchers or as a textbook for undergraduate and graduate students. The model organisms are covered in detail, but an effort has also been made to represent the diversity of filamentous fungis and their ecological niches, as well as the means of investigating them. The chapters are organized into sections covering introductory issues; replication and expression of the genetic code; organelles; hyphal growth; metabolism; photobiology and circadian rhythms; nutrient, pH, and stress sensing; sexual development; asexual sporulation; interactions of fungi with plants or other fungi; and animal pathogens. Annotation ©2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)