[PERSPECTIVES] Functional Profiling of Human Fungal Pathogen Genomes

Fungal infections are challenging to diagnose and often difficult to treat, with only a handful of drug classes existing. Understanding the molecular mechanisms by which pathogenic fungi cause human disease is imperative. Here, we discuss how the development and use of genome-scale genetic resources, such as whole-genome knockout collections, can address this unmet need. Using work in Saccharomcyes cerevisiae as a guide, studies of Cryptococcus neoformans and Candida albicans have shown how the challenges of large-scale gene deletion can be overcome, and how such collections can be effectively used to obtain insights into mechanisms of pathogenesis. We conclude that, with concerted efforts, full genome-wide functional analysis of human fungal pathogen genomes is within reach.

Source: Cold Spring Harbor perspectives in medicine - March 2, 2015 Category: Research Authors: Goranov, A. I., Madhani, H. D. Tags: Human Fungal Pathogens PERSPECTIVES Source Type: research