Research Projects

Candida albicans infections pose a significant challenge to immunocompromised individuals, particularly those with AIDS, organ transplants, and cancer chemotherapy. Treatment is hindered by limited antifungal repertoires, drug resistance, and virulence determinants. Despite extensive research, the fungus's adaptation to host environments remains a mystery. The unfolded protein response pathway (UPR) is one pathway that enables the fungus to overcome adverse environments. The classical Ire1-dependent UPR pathway in C. albicans integrates with other signaling pathways to abate endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Rta2, a downstream effector molecule of the calcineurin pathway, is known to abate ER stress in C. albicans. However, the precise mechanism and the need for Rta2-mediated ER stress response for virulence-trait expression remain to be validated. albicans. The outcome will reveal new mechanisms of host adaptation by the fungus, expand antifungal target space, and pave the way for future therapeutic strategies to overcome infections caused by the fungus.