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DFG SPP 1160
DFG SPP 1160
Human-pathogenic Fungi
In Europe, facultative pathogenic fungi are gaining importance as opportunistic infectious microorganisms of immunocompromised patients. These fungi either are ubiquitously distributed in the environment or colonise the mucosa of humans as saprophytic commensals.
The pathogenesis of fungal infections is determined by specific factors of the infecting fungus and defects of the innate immune system of the host. The relative contribution of these "factors" to a fungal infection is unclear. Therefore, the Priority Program 1160 addresses the elucidation of infection mechanisms during disease caused by opportunistic fungal pathogens. Several aspects of fungal infection ranging from colonisation to infection will be investigated at the molecular level.
The genomes of important pathogenic fungal species were sequenced. This knowledge provides an excellent opportunity to analyse fungal infection mechanisms in a broad sense. The investigations within this Priority Program will eventually lead to the identification of target molecules that will allow the development of improved diagnosis, therapy, and prevention of human mycoses.
The Priority Program is aimed at microbiologists, cell biologists and clinicians. Their experiences and methods will be used to solve the challenging questions.
The project proposals cover biological aspects of infections mainly of species of the fungal genera Candida, Aspergillus and Microsporidia, which are important in Europe. The projects fall within one of the following three main research areas:
1. Metabolism and morphogenesis of human-pathogenic fungi
For the infectious process, important metabolic pathways, their regulation and important morphological changes have been investigated.
2. Characteristics relevant for fungal infection
Potential pathogenicity factors have been analysed at the gene and protein level including genomic approaches; their roles will be verified in infection models.
3. Interaction of human-pathogenic fungi with the immune system
Mechanisms of recognition of fungi by the innate immune system and subsequent immune reactions have been analysed in appropriate model systems.
The pathogenesis of fungal infections is determined by specific factors of the infecting fungus and defects of the innate immune system of the host. The relative contribution of these "factors" to a fungal infection is unclear. Therefore, the Priority Program 1160 addresses the elucidation of infection mechanisms during disease caused by opportunistic fungal pathogens. Several aspects of fungal infection ranging from colonisation to infection will be investigated at the molecular level.
The genomes of important pathogenic fungal species were sequenced. This knowledge provides an excellent opportunity to analyse fungal infection mechanisms in a broad sense. The investigations within this Priority Program will eventually lead to the identification of target molecules that will allow the development of improved diagnosis, therapy, and prevention of human mycoses.
The Priority Program is aimed at microbiologists, cell biologists and clinicians. Their experiences and methods will be used to solve the challenging questions.
The project proposals cover biological aspects of infections mainly of species of the fungal genera Candida, Aspergillus and Microsporidia, which are important in Europe. The projects fall within one of the following three main research areas:
1. Metabolism and morphogenesis of human-pathogenic fungi
For the infectious process, important metabolic pathways, their regulation and important morphological changes have been investigated.
2. Characteristics relevant for fungal infection
Potential pathogenicity factors have been analysed at the gene and protein level including genomic approaches; their roles will be verified in infection models.
3. Interaction of human-pathogenic fungi with the immune system
Mechanisms of recognition of fungi by the innate immune system and subsequent immune reactions have been analysed in appropriate model systems.
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