Translational Mycology

The translational mycology group is headed by Prof. Alexandre Alanio, MD, PHD. This research group aims at bridging basic research on fungal physiology, diagnosis and clinical management of patients with fungal infections (invasive or superficial). In terms of basic mycology, we focus on the heterogeneity of Cryptococcus populations and how C. neoformans adapt to specific environments and change its metabolism (dormant cells, VBNC) and morphology (Titan cells). We currently use global transcriptome analysis and fluorescent dyes and flow cytometry/sorting to characterize subpopulations of yeasts. We recently developed models and tools to study persistence of C. neoformans upon exposure to fungicidal concentrations of amphotericin B. On the diagnostic side, we are developing molecular tools allowing early diagnosis for superficial and invasive fungal infections (aspergillosis, mucormycosis, fusariosis, candidiasis, deep pheohyphomycosis) including endemic mycoses (histoplasmosis, coccidioidomycosis, sporotrichosis, paracoccidioidomycoses, blastomycosis, talaromycosis). We are also testing new diagnostic tools in mycology by implementing international studies and using relevant cohort of patients/samples. In parallel we train the front-line health care workers (clinicians, scientists and laboratory technicians) in Sub-Saharan Africa to improve the diagnostic of fungal infections and thus the outcome of the patients. We are developing new tools to describe the mycobiota and new diagnostic processes to detect fungal pathogens using new generation sequencing. On the clinical side, we are interested in describing new underlying diseases/group of patients at risk of invasive fungal infections (acquired and genetic disorders), optimizing new regimens and duration of treatment, describing the epidemiology and delineating new nosological entities based on well phylogenically described isolates and clinical diseases.