Quantifying Rapid Evolution of Thermal Tolerance in the Novel Pathogenic Fungus Candida auris (Candidozyma auris)

Project Code

MRCIIAR26Ex Yvon-Durocher

Project Type

Wet lab

Research Theme

Infection, Immunity, Antimicrobial Resistance and Repair

Project Summary Download

Summary

Periodic episodes of high temperature associated with global climate change may be driving changes in the host range of pathogens, potentially enabling high temperature adapted fungi to make host jumps into human and warm-blooded animals. In this project we will explore how and whether the recently emerged drug-resistant fungal pathogen Candida auris, (now renamed Candidozyma auris) has adapted to rising temperatures. We will compare human fungal pathogens of the Candida and related genera for their thermal tolerance profiles and use serial in vitro adaptation experiments to assess the physiological traits that correlate with thermal adaptation.

Lead Supervisor

Professor Gabriel Yvon-Durocher

Lead Supervisor Email

g.yvon-durocher@exeter.ac.uk

University Affiliation

Exeter