FunComPath

Présentation

FunComPath is a network within the Infect-ERA programme (www.infect-era.eu). Infect-ERA is an ERA-Net on human infectious diseases funded under the EU 7^th Research Framework Programme (2013 – 2016). It is a continuation of the ERA-Net PathoGenoMics.

Candida albicans is a member of the normal microbial flora of humans, but also the most common cause of life-threatening fungal infections. A major risk factor for these infections is the use of antibiotics and thus the removal of protective bacteria. The FunComPath partners will investigate the shift of C. albicans from harmless colonization to pathogenicity and the protective role of probiotic bacteria and yeasts. The consortium will

• elucidate the molecular mechanisms associated with this shift,
• assess the role of the microbial flora in controlling fungal commensalism,
• explore the role of the metabolism for fungal commensalism and pathogenicity,
• investigate how the fungus regulates its own mode of commensalism and
• dissect the potential of probiotic bacteria and yeasts to prevent or treat infections.

It is expected that our data will pave the way to novel therapeutic options.

The FunComPath partners are:

• Prof. Berhnard Hube, Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
• Dr. Christophe d’Enfert, Fungal Biology and Pathogenicity Unit, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
• Prof. Joachim Ernst, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
• Prof. Jesus Pla, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Mardid, Spain
• Prof. Jens Nielsen, Chalmers University of Technology, Göteborg, Sweden

For more information on the FunComPath project, visit the website at www.funcompath.eu.