About MUCOR-ADVANCE
Our Mission
MUCOR-ADVANCE is a multidisciplinary Research Unit dedicated to ADVANCING risk stratification, diagnosis, and management of mucormycosis (MCM). MCM is a frequently lethal fungal infection that primarily affects immunocompromised individuals, including those with diabetes, cancer, or those who have undergone organ transplants. With mortality rates ranging from 50% to nearly 100% in severe cases, there is an urgent need for the innovative research and clinical breakthroughs our program provides. Our MissionOur overarching goal is to transform the "bench-to-bedside" pipeline for MCM treatment. By moving away from traditional "silo-based" research, MUCOR-ADVANCE uses a coordinated, integrated approach to identify key fungal and host factors that drive the disease. We aim to:
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Develop rapid and effective diagnostic assays to inform early treatment.
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Identify novel biomarkers for accurate prognostic risk stratification.
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Develop innovative, personalized therapeutic strategies that target both the pathogen and the host’s immune response.
Multi-disciplinary Research
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Project 1: Fungal Biology
Investigates unique Mucorales toxins (such as mucoricin and sphingotoxin) and invasins (CotH proteins) to develop new immunotherapies and a rapid, PCR-free diagnostic assay.​
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Project 2: Host Biology & Immunometabolics
Explores how metabolic abnormalities, such as low albumin or high iron, dampen the immune response. This project identifies novel metabolic host defenses, such as albumin-bound free fatty acids, to reverse immune defects.
Project 3: Translational Immunobiology
Focuses on identifying "immune paralysis" in patients and testing FDA-approved non-cellular immunomodulators (like checkpoint inhibitors and cytokines) as part of a multimodal treatment approach.​
Research Cores
Genomic/Transcriptomic Core
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Utilizes dual-species bulk and single-cell RNA-seq to simultaneously monitor host and fungal gene expression during infection.
Clinical Core
Manages an unprecedented prospective biobank of human specimens (blood, tissue, and fungal isolates) to validate laboratory findings in real-world clinical contexts.
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Administrative Core
Ensures seamless communication, data sharing, and collaboration across all participating institutions
Our Strength
The investigators of MUCOR-ADVANCE are world leaders in MCM research who have collaborated for over two decades. By integrating clinical data with cutting-edge basic science, we are committed to improving outcomes for patients facing this devastating disease.
