Molecular Mycology: Current Approaches to Fungal Pathogenesis

sandstormer — Mon, 22 Nov 2021 21:07:38 +0000

Molecular Mycology: Current Approaches to Fungal Pathogenesis sandstormer Mon, 11/22/2021 - 16:07

Directors: David Andes, University of Wisconsin-Madison and Robert Cramer, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth

Course Description

Fungal diseases are significant causes of mortality and morbidity in both the developed and the developing world. The recent increases in the incidence and severity of invasive fungal infections are directly attributable to new susceptible patient populations. Examples of these large, at-risk populations include patients with AIDS; hospitalized patients being treated for cancer and autoimmune disorders; andthose receiving organ transplants. Despite this increasing threat, our understanding of the basic pathophysiology of fungal disease lags far behind our understanding of bacterial, parasitic and viral diseases. Furthermore, the number of antifungal therapies in clinical use is limited, and there is a paucity of novel antifungal strategies in the current drug pipeline. To address the need for more research in the area of fungal diseases, this course aims to:

a) increase students’ breadth of knowledge in fungal pathogenesis research

b) introduce and explore both standard and cutting edge model systems for the analysis of fungal virulence

c) create an environment that fosters interactions and idea-exchange among students, faculty, and the greater mycology research community.

Course material is suitable for advanced graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, research faculty, and clinician-scientists.

The specific objectives of the Molecular Mycology course:

To present the current conceptual models for the pathogenesis of medically important fungi, with a focus on the most frequently encountered pathogens – Candida, Cryptococcus, and Aspergillus
To train students in molecular manipulation of Candida, Cryptococcus, and Aspergillus
To provide hands on experience with mammalian, invertebrate, and cell culture models to assess virulence and analyze different types of host-pathogen interactions
To present a broad perspective on experimental issues pertinent to pathogenic fungi, such as the definition and determination of virulence, the determination of host responses relevant to infection, and the quantification of antifungal susceptibility
To instruct students in techniques relevant to the analysis of the function of fungal gene products such as determination of essentiality, microscopic analysis of morphology and fluorescent protein fusions, comparison of RNA expression profiles of wild-type and mutant strains, assessment of chromosome content
To provide insight into the clinical aspects of fungal diseases from the perspective of the host and the pathogen
To provide an introduction to tools for comparative genome and transcriptional analysis
To discuss research ethics, professional development (academic, industrial, or government careers), and issues specific to the medical mycology field.

Biology of Parasitism: Modern Approaches

sandstormer — Mon, 22 Nov 2021 20:47:13 +0000

Biology of Parasitism: Modern Approaches sandstormer Mon, 11/22/2021 - 15:47

Directors: Vernon Carruthers, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; James Collins, UT Southwestern Medical Center; and Melissa Lodoen, University of California, Irvine

Course Description

A unique 7-week course for advanced doctoral students and postdocs who are seeking in-depth training in modern approaches to the study of protozoan parasites and parasitic worms.

This course is focused on the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which human and animal parasites cause disease and the host responses to infection. The course consists of daily lectures by distinguished leaders in the field juxtaposed with intensive experimental work. The lectures cover most areas of active research in modern parasitology and are designed to complement the laboratory work. Ample opportunity is provided for students to interact informally with visiting lecturers and course faculty. In the laboratory, the students work together in small groups, gaining hands-on experience and working collaboratively with the faculty to explore new questions and discover new knowledge. Students will use advanced imaging, flow cytometry, biophysical methods, a variety of state-of-the-art molecular, bioinformatics and cell biological techniques, and in vivo infection models to study mechanisms of nutrient uptake, drug resistance, parasite motility, host-to-host transmission by insect vectors and immune responses to infection. Students will gain experience working with malaria parasites, Toxoplasma gondii, African trypanosomes, Entamoeba histolytica, parasitic worms and the mosquitoes that transmit malaria. The course is international by design, with students coming from around the world. Coming into the course, students should have a solid understanding of cellular and molecular biology and will complete the course with a new set of experimental tools to apply to their own research, a greatly expanded network of international colleagues, and a deep and broad appreciation for the remarkable interactions that occur at the host–parasite interface.

Infectious Diseases

Molecular Mycology: Current Approaches to Fungal Pathogenesis

Course Description

Biology of Parasitism: Modern Approaches

Course Description