Chemical and genetic validation of Aspergillus fumigatus cell wall targets

"Fungi" are types of bugs that are widespread and most of us carry some of these organisms. Normally our immune system is perfectly capable of suppressing their growth. However, under conditions where the immune system is weakened, for instance during chemotherapy, organ transplants or HIV infection, these microbes are able to establish lethal infections that are not well treatable with currently available drugs - there is a significant unmet medical need. This proposal aims to give us an understanding of proteins that are important for building the protective cell wall that surrounds the fungal pathogen A. fumigatus - a structure that protects this microbe from its environment. This work will ultimately lead to the identification of opportunities for the discovery of novel anti-fungal drugs by the pharmaceutical industry.