Mechanisms Regulating Antifungal Drug Resistance During Stress

Dr. Srikripa Chandrasekaran, Furman University

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Cryptococcus neoformans is a fungal pathogen, which infects immuno-compromised humans. A major problem in combating fungal infections is development of drug resistance by fungi to common anti-fungal drugs. We detect a correlation between the ability of fungi to adapt to stress encountered in the human body, (such as osmotic stress, heat stress, and nutrient stress) and their ability to tolerate anti-fungal drugs. Our study explores mechanisms during stress response that can regulate drug resistance in Cryptococcus.