I
am interested in the process by which the fungus
C. neoformans
senses copper in its
environment, and the corresponding events that occur to try
and rectify any copper imbalance. The diagram above shows
how a copper sensing transcription factor might turn on a
gene (CTR4) in response to low levels of copper.
C.
neoformans is of
interest because it is an opportunistic fungal pathogen
found commonly in the soil. "Opportunistic pathogen" means
it only infects individuals with compromised immune
systems. Examples of individuals with a compromised immune
system would be HIV/AIDS patients.
The techniques I am interested in using are
bioinformatics and microarray technology.
Specifically, I would like to find potential genes
regulated by the levels of copper in the soil using
computer techniques, then test these hypothesis using the
microarray technology.
If you are a student interested in doing research in my
lab, please read my current listing of
projects, and
don't hesitate to contact me.