Fungal Biology

This project focuses on uncovering the unique molecular factors that allow Mucorales fungi to invade host tissues and evade the immune system.

Targeting Toxins and Invasins
Researchers are investigating the role of unique virulence factors, including the hyphae-associated mucoricin, a newly discovered secreted sphingotoxin, and cell-surface CotH invasins.

Adjunctive Immunotherapy:
The team is developing and testing monoclonal antibodies that target these toxins and invasins to serve as an "anti-virulence" treatment when combined with standard antifungals.

Rapid Diagnostics
A key deliverable is the development of a simple, PCR-free loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for the rapid detection of MCM in clinical samples, which is designed for use at the point-of-care.