Cletus P. Kurtzman

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Cletus P. Kurtzman
BornJuly 19, 1938
Mansfield, Ohio
DiedNovember 27, 2017
NationalityAmerican
Alma materOhio University (Bachelors)

Purdue (Masters)

West Virginia University (PhD)
Known forTaxonomy of yeasts, Saccromycotina
SpouseMary Ann Dombrink (deceased)
Children3
Awards fellow of American Academy of Microbiology (1981)

U.S. Federation for Culture Collections/American Society for Microbiology J. Roger Porter Award (1990)

Contents

Inductee to the ARS Science Hall of Fame (2016)
Scientific career
FieldsMycology, Microbiology
InstitutionsUSDA, Peoria, IL
Author abbrev. (botany) Kurtzman

Cletus P. Kurtzman (July 19, 1938 - November 27, 2017) was an American mycologist who is known for his contributions to yeast taxonomy and is regarded as "the father of modern yeast taxonomy"(Boekhout, T 2019). [1] Many of his findings uncovered unknown diversity within this group of fungi. Among his many accomplishments was the early adoption of DNA barcodes for fungal taxonomic identification that has resulted in barcodes for every known ascomycete yeast, providing immeasurable value to field of yeast studies. [1]

Early years and education

Kurtzman was born in Mansfield, Ohio to Paul and Marjorie (Gartner) Kurtzman. He had one sister. He married Mary Ann Dombrink in 1962, whom he had three children with. From 1962 to 1964 Kurtzman served in the U.S. Army where he rose to the rank of 2nd lieutenant. [2] He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Botany from the Ohio University and a Masters in Plant Pathology at Purdue in 1962. He went on to receive his PhD in microbiology and mycology 1967 at West Virginia University. [3]

Career

Kurtzman worked his entire scientific career (1967–2017) at the National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, Northern Regional Research Center of United States Department of Agriculture in Peoria, Illinois. Among his many accomplishments, he helped pioneer techniques for defining ascomycete yeasts along multiple concepts using DNA-DNA recombination, phenotype and morphology before the advent of gene sequencing. Once gene sequencing became possible he would later determine that DNA recombination was time consuming and only useful for determining closely related species of yeasts. [4] Klutzman would redefine many clades within in the Saccharomycotina group based on genetic similarity and helped formulate methods and tools that are currently used to help classify new species discovered within this group. [1]

He held several leading positions including research leader and curator within the USDA, [1] which during that time he defined many new species and genera of yeasts with which he named in honor of many of his colleagues, much to the chagrin of some taxonomists. [5] Some of his best known accomplishments involved expanding our knowledge of the Saccharomycotina and the Saccharomyces and Candida genera. Kurtzman's diversity work resulted in him describing 85 species, 21 genera, and five families. [1]

Before genetic sequencing was possible there was some debate as to whether the yeasts represented an early form of fungi or ones that are effectively simplified forms of later evolved clades. [4] Their relationship to filamentous fungi was not completely understood and sometimes overlooked. [4] Once genetic sequencing was possible, Kurtzman put the issue to rest showing that they do indeed share a close relationship with filamentous fungi. [4] Kurtzman's commitment and early use of molecular phylogeny to study yeasts lead to his identification of multiple RNA regions that are useful for identifying yeasts down to the species level and resolving higher classifications. His use of the D1/D2 domains of the large sub-unit of ribosomal DNA turned out to be a major breakthrough for the study of yeasts and one of his accomplishments he is best known for. [3] [6] His lab became well known and trusted for its high quality analyses. "His later writings show an immense knowledge of the properties of various genes in terms of evolutionary rates, concordance with other genes, or the best primers or cycling conditions to obtain impeccable amplifications. The designation NRRL on a sequence deposit continues to be a certificate of quality" (Lachance, MA 2018).

Kurtzman was also fascinated with application of the many yeasts that he studied, including uses in biotechnology and clinical diagnostics. He is recognized for his discovery of the D-xylose and L-arabinose fermenting yeasts and their applications in the biofuels industry along with degradation of Fusarium mycotoxins by Blastobotrys spp, and the sorolipid-producing yeasts useful as surfactants. [1]

Kurtzman was very active in the community at large and is fondly remembered by his colleagues for his sense of humor and willingness to entertain new ideas. [1] He regularly reviewed fellow scientists papers and was noted for his thorough yet kind reviews. He spoke and participated regularly at yeast conferences and broader mycology biodiversity meetings. He was an avid writer who authored and coauthored 350 publications which have been collectively cited over 23,000 times. [3] He also contributed to many journals to which he helped edit and twice published in editions of The yeasts: a taxonomic study, a comprehensive guide to all documented yeasts. As one would expect for a researcher of his experience, he regularly mentored younger scientists and would teach at workshops all over the world. [1] [2]

Related Research Articles

<i>Cryptococcus</i> Genus of fungi

Cryptococcus is a genus of fungi in the family Cryptococcaceae that includes both yeasts and filamentous species. The filamentous, sexual forms or teleomorphs were formerly classified in the genus Filobasidiella, while Cryptococcus was reserved for the yeasts. Most yeast species formerly referred to Cryptococcus have now been placed in different genera. The name Cryptococcus comes from the Greek for "hidden sphere". Some Cryptococcus species cause a disease called cryptococcosis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saccharomycetes</span> Class of fungi

Saccharomycetes belongs to the Ascomycota division of the kingdom Fungi. It is the only class in the subdivision Saccharomycotina, the budding yeasts. Saccharomycetes contains a single order, Saccharomycetales.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saccharomycetales</span> Order of fungi

Saccharomycetales belongs to the kingdom of Fungi and the division Ascomycota. It is the only order in the class Saccharomycetes. There are currently 13 families recognized as belonging to Saccharomycetales. GBIF also includes; Alloascoideaceae, Eremotheciaceae (16) Trigonopsidaceae and Wickerhamomycetaceae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saccharomycotina</span> Subdivision of fungi

Saccharomycotina is a subdivision (subphylum) of the division (phylum) Ascomycota in the kingdom Fungi. It comprises most of the ascomycete yeasts. The members of Saccharomycotina reproduce by budding and they do not produce ascocarps.

Nakazawaea is a genus of yeast in the order Saccharomycetales. The relationship of this taxon to other taxa within the order is not fully unknown.

Malassezia equina is a fungus first isolated in horses, which can cause opportunistic infections in animals. Its type strain is MA146=CBS 9969. This species will not grow without any lipid supplementation. It grows slowly and forms small colonies. In the lab, colonies will not grow at temperatures of 40 °C, differing from M. sympodialis-related species, such M. dermatis and M. nana, which can grow at this temperature. Malassezia caprae cells are ovoidal.

Malassezia caprae is a fungus first isolated in goats, which can cause opportunistic infections in animals. Its type strain is MA383=CBS 10434. This species will not grow without any lipid supplementation. It grows slowly and forms small colonies. In the lab, colonies will not grow at temperatures of 40 °C, differing from M. sympodialis-related species, such M. dermatis and M. nana, which can grow at this temperature. Malassezia caprae cells are ellipsoidal to more or less spherical.

Kazachstania exigua is a yeast species that commonly occurs in olive brine and in some kefir cultures. It is one of the yeast species used in the production of sourdough. It is acid-tolerant and maltose-negative.

Kodamaea kakaduensis is an ascomycetous yeast species first isolated from Australian Hibiscus flowers. It is heterothallic, haploid, similar to other Kodamaea species and to Candida restingae. Its buds are often produced on short protuberances, and a true mycelium is formed. It differs from other species by the assimilation of trehalose, melezitose, and xylitol, and is reproductively isolated. Its type strain is UWO (PS) 98–119.2.

Candida tolerans is an ascomycetous yeast species first isolated from Australian Hibiscus flowers. It is small and a pseudomycelium is formed. The carbon and nitrogen assimilation pattern is similar to that of Zygosaccharomyces rouxii. Its type strain is UWO (PS) 98-115.5.

Lachancea thermotolerans is a species of yeast.

Blastobotrys elegans is a species of fungus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fungal DNA barcoding</span> Identification of fungal species thanks to specific DNA sequences

Fungal DNA barcoding is the process of identifying species of the biological kingdom Fungi through the amplification and sequencing of specific DNA sequences and their comparison with sequences deposited in a DNA barcode database such as the ISHAM reference database, or the Barcode of Life Data System (BOLD). In this attempt, DNA barcoding relies on universal genes that are ideally present in all fungi with the same degree of sequence variation. The interspecific variation, i.e., the variation between species, in the chosen DNA barcode gene should exceed the intraspecific (within-species) variation.

<i>Ogataea</i> Genus of fungi

Ogataea is a genus of ascomycetous yeasts in the family Saccharomycetaceae. It was separated from the former genus Hansenula via an examination of their 18S and 26S rRNA partial base sequencings by Yamada et al. 1994.

Fungal genomes are among the smallest genomes of eukaryotes. The sizes of fungal genomes range from less than 10 Mbp to hundreds of Mbp. The average genome size is approximately 37 Mbp in Ascomycota, 47 Mbp in Basidiomycota and 75 Mbp in Oomycota. The sizes and gene numbers of the smallest genomes of free-living fungi such as those of Wallemia ichthyophaga, Wallemia mellicola or Malassezia restricta are comparable to bacterial genomes. The genome of the extensively researched yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae contains approximately 12 Mbp and was the first completely sequenced eukaryotic genome. Due to their compact size fungal genomes can be sequenced with less resources than most other eukaryotic genomes and are thus important models for research. Some fungi exist as stable haploid, diploid, or polyploid cells, others change ploidy in response to environmental conditions and aneuploidy is also observed in novel environments or during periods of stress.

The Wickerhamomycetaceae are a family of yeasts in the order Saccharomycetales that reproduce by budding. Species in the family have a widespread distribution.

Wickerhamomyces is a genus of fungi within the Saccharomycetales order. It is placed within the family of Phaffomycetaceae.

Hanseniaspora lachancei is a species of yeast in the family Saccharomycetaceae. It is associated with fermenting agave juice and a tequila production facility in Mexico.

<i>Cyberlindnera</i> Genus of yeasts

Cyberlindnera is a genus of yeasts in the Phaffomycetaceae family. Its name is derived from the Latin word “Ciber,” which originates from “Cibus,” meaning “food” and "sustenance". Early German mycologist Paul Lindner, honored for his contributions to descriptions of Schizosaccharomyces pombe, Saccharomycopsis (Endomyces) fibuligera and other notable species of Saccharomyces and Pichia, is the source of the "-lindnera" portion of the name. The genus has gone through many trials, reevaluations, and verifications to become the organized assortment of species it is today. Species under this genus interact with other organisms in a wide variety of ways and can be found across the globe. They are used by humans for their toxicity, fermentation abilities, and capacity to assimilate many organic compounds.

Vanderwaltozyma polyspora is a species of multi-spored yeast fungus in the family Saccharomycetaceae found in soil, first described by Johannes P. van der Walt, and moved to a new genus by Cletus P. Kurtzman in 2003.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Boekhout, Teun (August 2019). "A tribute to Cletus P. Kurtzman (1938–2017)". FEMS Yeast Research. 19 (5).
  2. 1 2 Lachance, Marc-André (2023-11-16). "Personal reflections on Cletus P. Kurtzman (July 19 1938–November 27 2017)". Antonie van Leeuwenhoek. 111: 1–4. doi:10.1007/s10482-017-0999-z.
  3. 1 2 3 Boekhout, Teun (10 July 2019). "Cletus P. Kurtzman: 1938-2017".
  4. 1 2 3 4 Kurtzman and, Cletus P.; Fell, Jack W. (2006). "Yeast Systematics and Phylogeny – Implications of Molecular Identification Methods for Studies in Ecology". The Yeast Handbook - Biodiversity and Ecophysiology of Yeasts. Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg. p. 16. ISBN   978-3-540-26100-1.
  5. ↑ Lachance, Marc-André (December 2018). "C. P. Kurtzman's evolving concepts of species, genus and higher categories". FEMS Yeast Research. 18 (8).
  6. ↑ Boekhout, Teun; Kurtzman, Cletus P. (December 2016). "Interview with Cletus Kurtzman and Teun Boekhout". FEMS Yeast Research. 16 (8): fow097. doi: 10.1093/femsyr/fow097 .
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