Making and breaking the cell walls of fungal pathogens

Grantholders

  • Prof Neil Gow

    University of Exeter

Project summary

In fungi that cause human infections, the cell walls are vital to their ability to cause disease and trigger our defensive immune responses. The fungal cell wall is also the main target for antifungal drugs, vaccines and diagnostic tests. 

My project will inform new medical strategies through an understanding of how the cell wall is made and how it is recognised by the immune system. I will investigate the key processes and functions of the gene families that make the cell wall by exploiting recent advances in genetics and deploying novel screens. I will also use novel reagents and combinations of host and pathogen analysis tools to study the fine chemical structure of cell wall molecules that stimulate the immune system.

My research will result in major advances in our understanding of the cell wall, and will inform the design of new generations of therapeutics and diagnostics that are urgently required to treat fungal infections.