Pathogenesis and virulence strategies

Host response to infection

Clinical diagnosis and treatment

Functional genomics and proteomics

Sequence workshop/community tool-building

Fungal evolution and selection

Conference Synopsis:

In recent years, major technical advances have revolutionized the molecular analysis of the systemic dimorphic fungi.  These pathogens are ubiquitous soil fungi that infect healthy and immunocompromised individuals who live in endemic areas.  These fungi collectively comprise a significant threat to human health. With the advent of mutagenesis technology, genome sequence, whole genome expression profiling, proteomics, and other advances, the ability to probe the biology of these fascinating organisms has reached a new level of molecular sophistication.  Of special note is the “Sequence workshop/community tool-building session”, where participants will be introduced to the sequenced genomes of all the dimorphic fungal pathogens as generated by the Broad Institute.  Thus much is to be gained by bringing together researchers and clinicians who study various aspects of the relevant biology and disease.