Molecular analysis of interactions between pathogens and host organisms

The goal of the project is to gain new insights into the relations between fungal pathogens and their host organisms in order to develop new therapeutical approaches on this basis.

Via different approaches, an interdisciplinary consortium will explore the molecular mechanisms controlling the interactions between pathogens and their hosts. The pathogens Candida albicans (a pathogenic fungus that can cause infections of the skin but also life-threatening systemic fungal diseases) and Listeria monocytogenes (bacteria that may cause the death of foetuses when infections occur during pregnancy) will be used in the study. Furthermore, it is to be determined whether host cells develop similar or equal defence strategies when confronted with different pathogens. With a view to developing an improved infection therapy, the physiological relevance of the findings is to be tested using mouse models.