Host Biology and Immunometabolics

This project examines the host side of the infection, specifically how a patient’s metabolic state influences their immune system's ability to fight off the fungus.

Metabolic Host Defenses
Investigations focus on how albumin-bound free fatty acids (FFAs) act as a natural defense by inhibiting fungal growth and toxin expression.
Reversing Immune Dampening
The project explores how metabolic abnormalities like acidosis, low albumin, and oxidized FFAs suppress the activity of phagocytes (alveolar macrophages and neutrophils), allowing the infection to take hold.

Neutrophil Swarming
Researchers are dissecting the molecular dynamics of how neutrophils coordinate to eliminate germinating spores and how fungal toxins interfere with this process.

Prognostic Biomarkers
The team is validating host metabolites, such as serum albumin and labile iron, as biomarkers to help clinicians identify patients at the highest risk for poor outcomes.