It’s been a thrilling 3 week research experience. My lab is investigating the molecular pathogenesis of fungal infections such as candinda and cryptocococcal infections. It’s basic science project is to understand cryptococcal infections using cryptococcus neoformans as a model yeast system to identify molecular targets for anti-fungal drug development.
Cryptococcus meningitis is a fungal infection and inflammation that attacks the meninges( membranes covering the spinal cord and brain). This disease is common in people with severely compromised immune systems such HIV positive patients. Cryptoc0ccus neoformans is found in the soil and dust all over the the world especially soil containing bird droppings. If left untreated it can lead to brain damage, coma, hearing loss and eventually death. According to Dr, John Perfect, Duke hospital still has 15-30% mortality rate of cryptococcal infections and that needs to be reduced by development of better medications.
My project focuses on identifying genes that are important for the survival of Cryptococcuss neorformans in the human Cerebrospinal fluid ( a stress environment with 37 degrees Celsius) so as to develop better medications. I have 26 strains of Cryptococcus neoformans from human CSF of HIV patients that i’m using to conduct my research project.
I look forward to a successful research project!
