About
Dr Julianne Djordjevic-
Understanding virulence of the fungal pathogen, Cryptococcus neoformans.
Elucidating secretory pathways and mechanisms essential for establishing cell wall integrity in pathogenic fungi
Summary
The project aims to identify genes/proteins and signal transduction pathways involved in secretory processes and the maintenance of cell wall integrity in pathogenic fungi.
Supervisor(s)
Research Location
Westmead Millennium Institute, Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology
Program Type
Masters/PHD
Synopsis
Using the AIDS-related pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans, as a model, our aim is to determine mechanisms used by pathogenic fungi to secrete virulence determinants, such as the “invasin” and determinant of cell wall integrity, phospholipase B1. Candidate proteins involved in these processes include yet-to-be characterised secreted proteases and cell wall remodelling enzymes such as endo beta glucanases. Techniques employed to assess the role of genes encoding these proteins in secretion and cell wall integrity, include targeted gene disruption and RNA silencing, and robust animal and cell infection models are well-established. Our team also recently discovered that a cryptococcal phospholipase C (PLC) controls many virulence attributes, including secretion and cell wall integrity, and transcriptomic and proteomic approaches will be useful in elucidating PLC-related signal transduction pathways. The expected outcome of this work is the discovery of novel determinants of fungal virulence that could serve as potential targets for anti-fungal drug development.
Want to find out more?
Contact Research Expert to find out more about participating in this opportunity.
Browse for other opportunities within the Westmead Millennium Institute, Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology .
Keywords
Cryptococcosis, Cryptococcus neoformans, secreted phospholipase B, fungal cell wall, beta glucans, Infectious diseases, Infection & immunity, Pathogenic fungi, HIV/AIDS
Opportunity ID
The opportunity ID for this research opportunity is: 46