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Updated: Mar 28, 2026

Biolistic Transformation of a Fluorescent Tagged Gene into the Opportunistic Fungal Pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans
Published on: March 19, 2015
Cryptococcus: from environmental saprophyte to global pathogen
Robin C May1, Neil R H Stone2, Darin L Wiesner3
1Institute of Microbiology and Infection and School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK.
Abstract:
Cryptococcosis is a globally distributed invasive fungal infection that is caused by species within the genus Cryptococcus which presents substantial therapeutic challenges. Although natural human-to-human transmission has never been observed, recent work has identified multiple virulence mechanisms that enable cryptococci to infect, disseminate within and ultimately kill their human host. In this Review, we describe these recent discoveries that illustrate the intricacy of host-pathogen interactions and reveal new details about the host immune responses that either help to protect against disease or increase host susceptibility. In addition, we discuss how this improved understanding of both the host and the pathogen informs potential new avenues for therapeutic development.
Insights
Cryptococcosis, a fungal infection, presents treatment challenges. Recent research reveals how the fungus infects humans and new therapeutic targets for cryptococcal disease.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
- Immunology
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