Dissection of A. fumigatus alkaline adaptation and virulence (with a view to inhibiting fungal growth in vivo)
Lead Research Organisation:
Imperial College London
Department Name: Unlisted
Abstract
Aspergillus is a common fungus in the environment, dwelling in pot plants and air conditioning ducts. Aspergillus produces huge numbers of airborne spores which disperse on air currents. The spores are small enough to reach the extremities of the human lung when inhaled. This is not usually dangerous as white blood cells are able to kill them efficiently. However, patients having white blood cell deficiency or abnormality, cannot kill spores which germinate and grow inside the body causing a disease called invasive aspergilloisis. From the lung aspergillus can penetrate the blood vessels and spread to other organs.
Invasive aspergillosis affects up to one quarter of bone marrow transplant recipients and leukaemia patients. Around 60,000 people per year become infected worldwide, as many as 9 out of 10 infected patients die. Diagnosis is difficult and comes after significant fungal growth so aggressive treatment is required to stem infections. Only a handful of antifungal drugs are available. They act on the fungal cell wall or cell membrane and are designed to kill the fungus without harming the patient. Unfortunately they have varying effectiveness, particularly against aspergillus. They are toxic to the liver and often cross-react with other medicines. Furthermore, some aspergillus species are developing resistance to these compounds in the same way that bacteria become resistant to antibiotics. There is, therefore, a desperate need for new therapies against aspergillus infection.
My work has identified aspergillus genes which allow growth inside a mouse lung by sensing the pH (concentration of hydrogen ions) and adapting accordingly. Two of the genes, called palH and palI, mediate pH-sensing at the fungal cell membrane. If palH and palI function could be impaired experimentally, fungal growth may be preventable. This project will examine how these genes mediate pH-sensing by identifying the proteins they interact with and provide a means for future screening for chemicals which impair their function by blocking the protein-protein interactions. A third gene controlling the fungal pH response in mice is pacC, which acts after pH?sensing to regulate an appropriate fungal response. Identification of functions under pacC control or which act upstream of pacC will provide further opportunities for interfering with this essential fungal adaptation mechanism.
Invasive aspergillosis affects up to one quarter of bone marrow transplant recipients and leukaemia patients. Around 60,000 people per year become infected worldwide, as many as 9 out of 10 infected patients die. Diagnosis is difficult and comes after significant fungal growth so aggressive treatment is required to stem infections. Only a handful of antifungal drugs are available. They act on the fungal cell wall or cell membrane and are designed to kill the fungus without harming the patient. Unfortunately they have varying effectiveness, particularly against aspergillus. They are toxic to the liver and often cross-react with other medicines. Furthermore, some aspergillus species are developing resistance to these compounds in the same way that bacteria become resistant to antibiotics. There is, therefore, a desperate need for new therapies against aspergillus infection.
My work has identified aspergillus genes which allow growth inside a mouse lung by sensing the pH (concentration of hydrogen ions) and adapting accordingly. Two of the genes, called palH and palI, mediate pH-sensing at the fungal cell membrane. If palH and palI function could be impaired experimentally, fungal growth may be preventable. This project will examine how these genes mediate pH-sensing by identifying the proteins they interact with and provide a means for future screening for chemicals which impair their function by blocking the protein-protein interactions. A third gene controlling the fungal pH response in mice is pacC, which acts after pH?sensing to regulate an appropriate fungal response. Identification of functions under pacC control or which act upstream of pacC will provide further opportunities for interfering with this essential fungal adaptation mechanism.
Technical Summary
Aspergillus fumigatus is the commonest cause of death from fungal disease worldwide, causing life-threatening infection in chronically immunosuppressed patients. No specific A. fumigatus virulence factors are identified but the repertoire of genes having demonstrated roles in vivo is growing. The majority are involved in nutrient biosynthesis or uptake. I have recently described two exceptions: sidA, catalysing siderophore biosynthesis and pacC, mediating alkaline adaptation, which together form a new class of A. fumigatus virulence determinants controlling programmed adaptive responses to the host environment. Both employ fungal-specific proteins and therefore have potential as targets for therapeutic intervention.
Alkaline adaptation is critical for fungal virulence and is mediated, in Aspergillus nidulans, by the transcription factor PacC. PacC, its appropriate processing, and six upstream pH-sensing Pal proteins are indispensable for murine pathogenicity. PacC/Rim101 fungal proteins control cell wall biosynthesis, morphogenesis, sporulation and exported enzyme and metabolite production. Many PacC targets function at, or beyond, the cell boundary.
HYPOTHESES:
Factors under PacC regulation mediate virulence as PacC is indispensable for murine pathogenicity and its constitutive activation enhances virulence.
Inhibition of PacC activation in vivo may prevent infection.
This research explores the novel concept that a non-essential fungal adaptation mechanism (which is essential for virulence) can provide valid opportunities for, and novel means of, preventing fungal growth in vivo.
Using in vivo Aspergillus fumigatus transcriptional profiling, phenotypic screening in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and a yeast-based A. fumigatus proteomic split-ubiquitin screen, novel virulence-essential A. fumigatus functions acting up- and downstream of the transcription factor PacC, which is a pivotal regulator of Aspergillus virulence will be identified. Moreover, a new proteomic tool for identifying A. fumigatus membrane-bound protein-protein interactions will be established using the virulence-essential pH-sensing A. fumigatus PalH and PalI proteins as prototypes. This will provide a screening platform for future identification of inhibitors of characterised A. fumigatus membrane protein-protein interactions and, ultimately, a means to screen for potential inhibitors of A. fumigatus growth in vivo.
The project has three key goals.
A) Identification of functions under PacC transcriptional control in vivo.
B) Identification of novel A. fumigatus PacC regulators.
C) Establish a split-ubiquitin screening system2 for identification of A. fumigatus membrane protein-protein interactions using the pH-sensing membrane proteins PalH and PalI (having known roles in virulence) as prototypes to identify A. fumigatus PalH and PalI protein partners.
Alkaline adaptation is critical for fungal virulence and is mediated, in Aspergillus nidulans, by the transcription factor PacC. PacC, its appropriate processing, and six upstream pH-sensing Pal proteins are indispensable for murine pathogenicity. PacC/Rim101 fungal proteins control cell wall biosynthesis, morphogenesis, sporulation and exported enzyme and metabolite production. Many PacC targets function at, or beyond, the cell boundary.
HYPOTHESES:
Factors under PacC regulation mediate virulence as PacC is indispensable for murine pathogenicity and its constitutive activation enhances virulence.
Inhibition of PacC activation in vivo may prevent infection.
This research explores the novel concept that a non-essential fungal adaptation mechanism (which is essential for virulence) can provide valid opportunities for, and novel means of, preventing fungal growth in vivo.
Using in vivo Aspergillus fumigatus transcriptional profiling, phenotypic screening in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and a yeast-based A. fumigatus proteomic split-ubiquitin screen, novel virulence-essential A. fumigatus functions acting up- and downstream of the transcription factor PacC, which is a pivotal regulator of Aspergillus virulence will be identified. Moreover, a new proteomic tool for identifying A. fumigatus membrane-bound protein-protein interactions will be established using the virulence-essential pH-sensing A. fumigatus PalH and PalI proteins as prototypes. This will provide a screening platform for future identification of inhibitors of characterised A. fumigatus membrane protein-protein interactions and, ultimately, a means to screen for potential inhibitors of A. fumigatus growth in vivo.
The project has three key goals.
A) Identification of functions under PacC transcriptional control in vivo.
B) Identification of novel A. fumigatus PacC regulators.
C) Establish a split-ubiquitin screening system2 for identification of A. fumigatus membrane protein-protein interactions using the pH-sensing membrane proteins PalH and PalI (having known roles in virulence) as prototypes to identify A. fumigatus PalH and PalI protein partners.
Organisations
- Imperial College London, United Kingdom (Collaboration, Lead Research Organisation)
- Universidade de São Paulo (Collaboration)
- Medical University of Innsbruck (Collaboration)
- University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom (Collaboration)
- University of the Republic (Collaboration)
- University of Wuerzburg, Germany (Collaboration)
- MedChemica Ltd (Collaboration)
- Tel Aviv University, Israel (Collaboration)
- Pasteur Institute, Paris (Collaboration)
- J Craig Venter Institute (Collaboration)
- University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom (Collaboration)
Publications

Alcazar-Fuoli L
(2014)
A modified recombineering protocol for the genetic manipulation of gene clusters in Aspergillus fumigatus.
in PloS one

Almeida RS
(2013)
Genetic bypass of Aspergillus nidulans crzA function in calcium homeostasis.
in G3 (Bethesda, Md.)

Amich J
(2016)
Amino acid biosynthetic routes as drug targets for pulmonary fungal pathogens: what is known and why do we need to know more?
in Current opinion in microbiology

Armstrong-James DP
(2009)
Impaired interferon-gamma responses, increased interleukin-17 expression, and a tumor necrosis factor-alpha transcriptional program in invasive aspergillosis.
in The Journal of infectious diseases

Bergmann A
(2009)
A regulator of Aspergillus fumigatus extracellular proteolytic activity is dispensable for virulence.
in Infection and immunity

Bertuzzi M
(2018)
Anti-Aspergillus Activities of the Respiratory Epithelium in Health and Disease.
in Journal of fungi (Basel, Switzerland)

Bertuzzi M
(2021)
On the lineage of Aspergillus fumigatus isolates in common laboratory use.
in Medical mycology

Bertuzzi M
(2019)
Microbial uptake by the respiratory epithelium: outcomes for host and pathogen.
in FEMS microbiology reviews

Bertuzzi M
(2011)
Sensory perception in fungal pathogens: Applications of the split-ubiquitin Membrane Yeast Two-Hybrid (MYTH) technique
in Fungal Biology Reviews

Bertuzzi M
(2021)
Single-Cell Analysis of Fungal Uptake in Cultured Airway Epithelial Cells Using Differential Fluorescent Staining and Imaging Flow Cytometry.
in Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)
Description | BBSRC Case studentship |
Amount | £120,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2015 |
End | 09/2019 |
Description | BBSRC Responsive Mode Grant |
Amount | £426,226 (GBP) |
Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2008 |
End | 09/2011 |
Description | BBSRC Responsive Mode Grant |
Amount | £489,937 (GBP) |
Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 02/2009 |
End | 01/2012 |
Description | BIRAX Israeli-British Partnership |
Amount | £15,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | British Council |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 05/2010 |
End | 05/2011 |
Description | Epithelial cytotoxins research grant |
Amount | £30,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Chelsea and Westminster Hospital |
Sector | Hospitals |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 06/2017 |
End | 12/2018 |
Description | MRC Confidence in Concept Award |
Amount | £40,220 (GBP) |
Organisation | Medical Research Council (MRC) |
Department | MRC Confidence in Concept Scheme |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 02/2015 |
End | 12/2015 |
Description | MRC Discovery Award (Internal funding stream) |
Amount | £90,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Medical Research Council (MRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 11/2016 |
End | 03/2018 |
Description | Wellcome Trust Research Grant |
Amount | £450,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Wellcome Trust |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 05/2011 |
End | 04/2013 |
Description | Wellcome Trust Research Grant |
Amount | £245,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Wellcome Trust |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 05/2008 |
End | 05/2011 |
Description | Wellcome Trust strategic award for medical Mycology & Immunology |
Amount | £112,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Wellcome Trust |
Department | Wellcome Trust Strategic Award |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2014 |
End | 09/2017 |
Title | A split ubiquitin protein interaction screening tool |
Description | A system of vectors and a library to promote the discovery of, and characteriation of, membrane protein-protein interactions in A. fumigatus |
Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
Year Produced | 2009 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | A successful funding application to the BBSRC |
Title | Genetic screening methodology for antifungal drug discovery |
Description | A genetic screen was developed to identify compounds directly inhibiting fungal pH signalling. A methodology for high throughput screening was developed. |
Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | A new funding application was submitted to BBSRC |
Title | In vivo transcription profile for Aspergillus fumigatus |
Description | The first description of global gene expression in the host-adapting fungus |
Type Of Material | Biological samples |
Year Produced | 2008 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | Pubmed ID 18787699 and a successful funding application to the BBSRC |
Description | CSIC |
Organisation | University of the Republic |
Department | Sectoral Commission for Scientific Research (CSIC) |
Country | Spain |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We have performed infection experiments on behalf of this group |
Collaborator Contribution | The collaborators have performed analyses of transcription factor binding on our behalf |
Impact | PLoS Pathogens manuscript |
Start Year | 2010 |
Description | CryoEM collaboration |
Organisation | University of Manchester |
Department | Division of Infection, Immunity & Respiratory Medicine |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We have identified a critical pH sensor having a 7TMD which is indicated as an important new drug target. we are working to provide recombinant protein for structural studies. |
Collaborator Contribution | we are benefiting from our partners' expertise in generating sufficient protein for preliminary protein studies. |
Impact | In progress |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | Dr Bernadette Byrne |
Organisation | Imperial College London |
Department | Division of Molecular Biosciences |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | EB characterised pH receptors in Aspergillus species and showed that they are critical for pathogenicity in mammals. |
Collaborator Contribution | BB developed methodologies for crystallisation of integral membrane proteins |
Impact | A new MRC project grant |
Start Year | 2012 |
Description | Dr Gustavo Goldman |
Organisation | Universidade de São Paulo |
Country | Brazil |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We have performed virulence anlayses of mutaully interesting A. fumigatus mutants |
Collaborator Contribution | This collaboration has provided network anlayses of time-series microarray data and will continue to underpin our methodology in future experimentation. |
Impact | Pubmed 18538268 and 18298443 |
Start Year | 2007 |
Description | Dr Hubertus Haas |
Organisation | Medical University of Innsbruck |
Country | Austria |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We have performed virulence anlayses of A. fumigatus strains having mutual relevance and authored joint publications |
Collaborator Contribution | The haas laboratory has constructed mutant strains on our behalf and performed analyses of siderophore biosynthesis, oxidative stress and growth rate determinations. All of which have provided substantive insight on A. fumigatus pathogenesis |
Impact | Pubmed 17845073 |
Description | Dr Matthew Fisher |
Organisation | Imperial College London |
Department | Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Advise and training on development of fungal virulence models |
Collaborator Contribution | Comparative genomic analyses on the evolution of fungal virulence |
Impact | A successful collaborative funding application to the Wellcome Trust |
Start Year | 2008 |
Description | Dr Nir Osherov |
Organisation | Tel Aviv University |
Country | Israel |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Advise on microarray data mangement and interrogation |
Collaborator Contribution | Shared expertise on ex vivo infection assays and A. fumigatus gene deletion strategies |
Impact | This collaboration has resulted in successful application to the British Council for collaborative funding. |
Start Year | 2008 |
Description | Dr Reiko Tanaka |
Organisation | Imperial College London |
Department | Department of Bioengineering |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Intellectual contribution = mathematical modelling of fungal infection. Practical contribution = experimental validation of model predictions. |
Collaborator Contribution | Construction of mathematical model |
Impact | A manuscript was submitted to PNAS (still await outcome). A grant application was submitted to NC3Rs (still await outcome). |
Start Year | 2012 |
Description | Dr Sven Krappmann |
Organisation | University of Wurzburg |
Country | Germany |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We have provided training in murine modelling of aspergillosis and tested virulence of mutants [constructed in the partner laboratory] having relevance to both partners' research. |
Collaborator Contribution | This collaboration has provided heightened expertise in construction of recyclable genetic markers in Aspergillus fumigatus which has increased the sophistication of gene deletion methodology. This collaborator also checks modes of integration in many of our transformants and has collaborated on the construction of bioluminescent Aspergillus fumigatus strains |
Impact | PubMed ID 18249572 and 19564390 |
Description | ESF Fuminomics Consortium |
Organisation | Pasteur Institute, Paris |
Country | France |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | I am a steering committee member and my team regularly present at the scientific meetings |
Collaborator Contribution | This consortium provides a platform for us to present our research directly to the European A. fumigatus community. It enables access to new methodologies and funds our attendance at regular consortium research meetings. It also promotes and strengthens 'omics' tools development in the EC. |
Impact | Training, tools development and a planned bid for Eurpean funding. |
Start Year | 2008 |
Description | Identification and definition of SARs driving activity of compounds which inhibit pH signalling in the human fungal pathogen A. fumigatus. |
Organisation | MedChemica Ltd |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | We developed a genetic screen for inhibitors of pH signalling |
Collaborator Contribution | In silico predictions of active motifs. Identification and sourcing of chemical analogs for pinpointing structure-activity relationships. |
Impact | A new funding application has been written and submitted to BBSRC |
Start Year | 2019 |
Description | JCVI Partnering |
Organisation | J Craig Venter Institute |
Country | United States |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | We provide infected samples for analysis and co-author all manuscripts resulting from this collaboration |
Collaborator Contribution | The Nierman laboratory performs microarray experimentation on a regular basis for my group and has begun to develop next generation sequencing protocols using material provided from my laboratory. |
Impact | Pubmed ID 18787699 |
Start Year | 2006 |
Description | Professor Herbert N Arst Jnr |
Organisation | Imperial College London |
Department | MRC Centre for Molecular Bacteriology and Infection |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We provide advice on analysis of membrane protein-protein interactions using the slpit-ubiquitin analysis platform |
Collaborator Contribution | The Herb Arst group supports development of molecular tools and provides mechanistic insight into A. fumigatus environemtal adpatation via classical genetic analyses in A. fumigatus |
Impact | A successful collaborative funding application to the BBSRC Pubmed ID 19754306 |
Description | Professor Nick Read, Edinburgh |
Organisation | University of Edinburgh |
Department | Institute of Molecular Plant Sciences |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Joint grant application to the wellcome trust Infection and Immunity Panel - Funded 2010 |
Collaborator Contribution | A new collaboration to study cell biology of invasive A. fumigatus growth, measurement of intracellular calcium transients and natural product screening. Use of the MRC-funded split-ubiquitin platform to identify protein-protein interactions required for calcium homeostasis in A. fumigatus |
Impact | Joint grant application to the wellcome trust Infection and Immunity Panel - Funded 2010 |
Start Year | 2009 |
Description | dsRNA viruses |
Organisation | Imperial College London |
Department | Faculty of Natural Sciences |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Isolation of virus-infected A. fumigatus isolates Development of a transfection protocol for virus infection Analysis of virulence of infected isolates |
Collaborator Contribution | We have recently identified, chracterised and sequenced the first chrysoviruses in A. fumigatus |
Impact | £20 000 funding from the Chelsea and Westmister Charitable trust Publication in 2010 (see list) |
Start Year | 2007 |
Description | Advances Against Aspergillosis |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Type Of Presentation | Keynote/Invited Speaker |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
Results and Impact | 5th Advances Against Aspergillosis Conference Istanbul, Turkey, 26-28 January 2012 Aspergillus fumigatus survival in the lung environment Invited speaker A review article was commissioned. Extensive dicussions and networking reaulted, including crucial new contacts in antifungal drug discovery. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
Description | BSMM host |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Health professionals |
Results and Impact | The Society is comprised of healthcare workers, routine microbiologists, medics originating from various clinical backgrounds and pharmaceutical representatives. I hosted the 2009 Annual Meeting of the Society at Imperial College in March 2009, an event which attracted >100 attendees. Two invitations to present work at ISHAM Tokyo May 2009 and the University of Canterbury in September 2009 |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2009 |
Description | Chair of Fungal Biology Research Committee of the British Mycological Society |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Fungal Biology Research Committee Mission Statement Raise the profile of Fungal Biology Research in the UK and Internationally. Promote networking across the fungal biology community. Maintain strong links and communications with other mycological Societies and the International Mycological Association (IMA) Strengthen links with UK and international funding bodies to ensure fungal research has a voice where funding and strategy decisions are being made. Organise and support conferences, meetings and workshops for the international mycological community. Engage and inspire future generations of fungal biologists. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016,2017,2018 |
URL | https://www.britmycolsoc.org.uk/science/ |
Description | Elected to committe for education and outreach |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
Type Of Presentation | Workshop Facilitator |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | The British Mycological Society supports science and education on fungi in the UK. The Education and Outreach Committee monitors content of scool curricula, petitions education ministers to include fungi on the school curricula, orgainises events and meetings to promote fungal biology and research, end ecology in the UK. The education minister Michael Gove was petitioned on the ommission of fungi fom UK school curricula. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012,2013 |
URL | http://www.britmycolsoc.org.uk/ |
Description | Gordon Research Conference on Fungal Cell and Molecular Biology |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Type Of Presentation | Workshop Facilitator |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
Results and Impact | An opportunity to review systems biology and its impact upon the field of fungal infection biology. Many new high profile contacts made. Gordon Conference Cellular & Molecular Fungal Biology Holderness School, New Hampshire, USA. June 17-22, 2012 Discussion Leader for Systems Biology |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
Description | Hosting a Nuffield Foundation student |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | A sixth form student worked in the laboratory for 2 months on a split-ubiquitin assay developed using MRC funding Placement requested for further students next year |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011 |
Description | Human Fungal Pathogens Lecture Course |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
Type Of Presentation | Workshop Facilitator |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | 150 attendees enjoyed talks from International experts on molecular and cellular biology of human fungal pathogens. A number of prizes were awarded to outstanding young scientists. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2009,2011,2013 |
URL | http://www.pasteur.fr/infosci/conf/hfp2013/ |
Description | January 2022 MRC Seminar Series: Tackling fungi that cause human lung disease (Elaine Bignell) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | Tackling fungi that cause human lung disease - A talk delivered to the Directorate, Board & Programme Managers and Institute staff of the Medical Research Council |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WKtneF1wrk&list=PLSus4fp7v7sQuXdUwREyHbUMR8cqNZKYj&index=15 |
Description | Killer Fungus Event at Manchester Science Festival |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | A 40-strong team of clinicians and scientists from the Universities of Aberdeen and Manchester, University Hospital South Manchester, National Aspergillosis Centre and Mycology Reference Laboratory Manchester, delivered the 'Killer Fungus' event at the Manchester Museum of Science and Industry in October. Visited by more than 1300 members of the public in a single day, the exhibit utilised the entirety of the enormous MOSI Power Hall to deliver two parallel events depicting the breadth, wonder and deadly nature of fungal contributions to life, and death, on Earth. New to the Killer Fungus exhibit for 2018, an app-based role playing game 'Outbreak' pitched 38 teams of impromptu scientists against a deadly killer fungus to resolve a mystery illness sweeping Manchester. Arriving to breaking news from the BBC of a mystery illness causing fatal meningitis amongst the Greater Manchester population, teams were immersed into a battle, alongside real-life clinicians and scientists, to collect field samples, witness the effects of the disease on human patients, and examine clinical data and pathogen genetic code and to work against the clock to crack the source of the Outbreak. At a complementary Platform for Investigation exhibit, visitors learned about fungi and the diseases they cause by playing computer games, viewed microscopic examples of fungal pathogens colonising agar plates and lung tissue, and made Play Dough models of innate immune cells attacking fungi. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
URL | http://www.killerfungus.org/ |
Description | Mycotalks: S1 E12 Antivirulence strategies for tackling Aspergilloses |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | A talk delivered to Medical Mycologists of all career stages that describes molecular genetic approaches to novel antifungal drug discovery |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGB64q16cgc |
Description | Pozaconazole update meeting |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Health professionals |
Results and Impact | I presented a talk to clinicians and pharmaceutical professionals about the genome of Aspergillus fumigatus and how its dynamic regulation is likely to affect antigen presentation during early disease, thereby impacting design of novel diagnostics Prompted multiple enquiries from Microbiology lab workers on likely dominant antigens for diagnostics development. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2009 |
Description | Royal Society Lecture |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Health professionals |
Results and Impact | A 30 minute lecture delivered at the Royal Society of Medicine entitled 'Diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis - what the fungi can tell us.....' this took place on Thursday 29th May, 2008 and was delivered to a lay audience of varying medical backgrounds, intending to raise the profile of Aspergillus-related disorders and to publicise the importance of this research with respect to understanding disease and identifying important new diagnostic markers. An invitation to present our work at the AsTeC - Aspergillus Technology Consortium in Bethesda, Maryland, November 2008. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2008 |
Description | Studies of Aspergillosis at the MRC Centre for Medical Mycology: World Aspergillosis Day 2022 (Elaine Bignell) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Patients, carers and/or patient groups |
Results and Impact | An overview (for patients suffering from Aspergilloses) of ongoing research aimed at tackling the problem |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.aspergillosisday.org/WAD2022/national-aspergillosis-centre-seminar-series/ |