Welcome to the Christian Doppler Laboratory for Infection Biology

The research proposed in the CD Laboratory PathoFUN will address major unsolved questions related to the molecular mechanisms of fungal virulence, as well as the interplay between fungal pathogens  and the tissues and cells of their mammalian host.

Based on the knowledge generated through the basic science approach, the industrial partner of PathoFUN aims to develop therapeutic or prophylactic vaccines to cure and protect against systemic diseases caused by major human fungal pathogens.

The overall research strategy of PathoFUN is comprehensive, following a three-tiered approach comprising

(i) basic research on fungal pathogenesis using in vitro and in vivo model systems to better understand the mechanisms underlying host-pathogen interactions, including innate immune defense exerted by the host or escape mechanisms activated in the pathogen before or during invasion,

(ii) translational research pursuing a genome-wide gene deletion approach in, at least, one major fungal pathogen to disclose the virulence genome, genes implicated in antifungal resistance, and perhaps new targets for antifungal drug discovery, and, finally,

(iii), applied research to develop vaccines against fungal pathogens suitable for prophylactic or therapeutic applications in clinical settings. PathoFUNis expected to achieve major milestones for the molecular understanding, improved diagnosis and therapy of infectious diseases caused by most prevalent human fungal pathogens.