MRC-FAPESP: New approaches to the treatment of Paracoccidioidomycosis

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Humans have evolved complex and effective ways of fighting infections caused by microbes such as bacteria, parasites, fungi and viruses, the immune system. Sometimes the immune system goes wrong and this can cause serious diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes. Our research aims to understand at a molecular level how the cells of the immune system are able to recognise different microbes and the ways in which these cells respond to cause the familiar symptoms of an infection such as fever and tiredness, and to generate specific antibodies that fight the invading microbes. In this project we will study the way in which immune system cells are activated by sugar-binding proteins associated pathogenic yeasts and plants, in particular the way they bind and activate the Toll-like receptors of the innate immune system. Understanding the molecular basis for interactions between these pathogens and immune cells will allow us to carry out a screen to identify new candidate drugs that might be effective therapies for these important diseases.