Molecular epidemiology, genomics, population genetics analysis and pathogenesis of the members of the Cryptococcus neoformans and C. gattii species complexes and other fungal species of clinical importance

The rising incidence of cryptococcosis and other mycoses, which can be life-threatening infections affecting both immunocompromised and immunocompetent humans and animals, together with the emergence of outbreaks of infection, highlight the need of an increased and constant vigilance of Cryptococcus neoformans and C. gattii and other clinically important fungi. This ongoing project 1) evaluates new alternative methodologies for the rapid and accurate identification of fungal pathogens; 2) assesses the utility of vertebrate and invertebrate models of infection to study fungal pathogenesis and virulence factors and to screen for strains with different levels of virulence; and 3) applies different molecular approaches to understand the epidemiology of different mycosis, and the differences regarding the genetic diversity, virulence and antifungal susceptibility between and within subtypes and species. Being part of an ongoing research collaboration among different institutions, that continuously study the epidemiology, genetics and pathogenesis of medically important yeasts and molds strongly contribute to our knowledge about the regional and global spread of fungal species and the epidemiology of different mycoses.