Department of Microbiology & Immunology Seminar
Speaker: Dr. Neeraj Chauhan
Associate Professor of Microbiology, Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ
Title: “Multidrug Resistance in the Emerging Human Fungal Pathogen Candida auris”
Abstract:
Candida auris is a multidrug-resistant fungal pathogen that presents a serious threat to global human health. Since the first reported case of a C. auris infection in 2009 from Japan, these infections are now being reported from more than 50 countries, with mortality rates between 30-60%. In addition, C. auris has the potential to cause outbreaks in healthcare settings, especially in nursing homes for elderly patients, owing to its efficient transmission via skin-to-skin contact. Most importantly, C. auris is the first fungal pathogen showing pronounced and sometimes untreatable clinical drug resistance to all known antifungal classes, including azoles, amphotericin B (AmB) and echinocandins. However, there is a serious knowledge gap in our understanding of the molecular basis of adaptive multidrug resistance (MDR), adhesive traits, and virulence of C. auris. Research in the Chauhan laboratory is focused on the biology and disease mechanisms of fungal pathogens of the Candida genus, primarily Candida albicans and Candida auris, two leading human fungal pathogens that can cause both mucosal and invasive infections. His laboratory uses interdisciplinary approach that includes functional genomics and animal models of host-pathogen interaction to better understand and dissect the molecular and genetic bases of MDR in Candida species. In this talk, Dr. Chauhan will present his recent findings about the role of MAPK signaling pathways in adaptive drug resistance. Data will also be presented on the development of molecular tools and animal models to better understand the C. auris – host interactions.
Location: MedDent NE301 (Use the podium entrance to MedDent) and via Zoom