Functional and Chemical Genomic Analyses Identify Vulnerabilities in Human Fungal Pathogens

Dr. Teresa O'Meara
University of Toronto
Tuesday, January 24, 2017 - 10:00am
CCBR Red Room
Departmental Search Candidate
Abstract: 
Fungal pathogens have a staggering impact on human health, but in order to cause disease, they must sense and respond to the hostile environment of the human host. I have used functional and chemical genomics approaches to understand fundamental aspects of Candida albicans biology and pathogenesis. I focused on core circuitry regulating: 1) the molecular chaperone Hsp90;, 2) a morphogenesismorphogenetic program that underpins virulence;, and 3) fungal modulation of host immune responses. My work has revealed key core cellular circuitry regulating C. albicans stress responses, providing a deeper understanding of the host-pathogen interface and identifying new targets for antifungal drug development, and a deeper understanding of the host-pathogen interface
Host: 
Dr. Scott Gray-Owen
Department of Molecular Genetics