Description:
Candida albicans is one of the fungal species most commonly causing life threatening infections in vulnerable patients. Our group is studying the mitochondria in Candida albicans cells.
Just like in our cells the mitochondria are the batteries of the cell, producing energy required for growth and in fungal cells can also influence infection.
The mitochondria can influence components of the fungal cell wall and its ability to infect us.
If we understand how mitochondria are influencing these factors, we can develop new anti-fungals or we can use existing anti-fungals in new combinations in order to tackle life threatening infections.
Lucian Duvenage works in Dr Campbell Gourlay’s lab at the University of Kent
Medical and Patient education videos
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This patient had severe kyphoscoliosis as a child with insertion of spinal rods in early adulthood. She is a life-long non-smoker. She first presented in 2001 with an irritating cough and several treatments with antibiotics failed to alleviate it.Aspergillus precipitin titre was high and she was initially diagnosed with chronic pulmonary aspergillosis with one cavity containing an aspergilloma. This patient developed resistance to all azole therapies.
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Sources of aspergillus and how can I clean up at home? By Professor Malcolm Richardson
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Informal recording of a meeting for patients. By Philip Langridge Aspergillosis Specialist Physiotherapist.
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Simple steps for patients to loosen phlegm in the lungs and easily produce sputum samples for testing in the clinic. Designed for aspergillosis patients or any patients with respiratory illnesses.
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A double lung transplant has been carried out on a young cystic fibrosis patient, who had more than 10 aspergillomas in her lung. Clip shown on BBC North West news shows an interview with Becky and Prof Denning.
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Short history from patient’s wife. Brief history and experiences of attending National Aspergillosis Centre
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Immunodiffusion technique to test for serum antibodies in patients – describes how to set up a test for the presence of antibodies in serum which are specific to various fungal pathogens. The technique is used to test and measure titres of these antibodies in the serum of infected patients.
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21-year-old medical student Jo Armstead has made a major discovery, which will help doctors better able to diagnose and treat patients with Cystic Fibrosis (CF). Jo spent hundreds of hours accessing data from 30 countries to discover that there are over 75,000 people with the genetic disorder, of whom half are over 18 years – with 50 per cent infected by the fungus, Aspergillus. Professor David Denning, Director of the NHS National Aspergillosis Centre and Professor of Infectious Diseases in Global Health at the University of Manchester explains: “The life expectancy of people with CF has been increasing, but aspergillosis has a major negative impact on many. By painstakingly crunching the numbers, Jo has helped us better understand the scale of the challenge which will lead to better diagnostics and treatment strategies.” Prof Denning and Jo were interviewed on BBC-1 Breakfast last Sunday June 29th.
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Literary event – Manchester Literature Festival hosted at Manchester Museum to increase awareness of Aspergillosis, in October 2013. Exploring literature, music and medicine.
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Fungi are eukaryotic organisms which possess a unique cell wall and cell membrane that can serve as targets for antifungal agents. The echinocandin class of antifungal agents target the cell wall of fungi. Watch this animation for more information.
