How Candida albicans survives in the gut and spreads to other organs
Fungal regulatory systems directing mammalian host colonization
Researchers are looking at how the common yeast Candida albicans lives in the intestines and what lets it move into other tissues and cause infection.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11285282 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project studies Candida albicans, a common gut fungus that can sometimes cause mucosal or bloodstream infections. Scientists use mouse models of gut colonization, oral infection, and disseminated disease together with laboratory studies of human immune cells to find fungal genes and signals that control attachment and survival. The team will study regulators of fungal sphingolipids active in the gut and inside human neutrophils, identify factors that help the fungus bind intestinal mucus, and find gene products that allow Candida to live in the mucus layer. The goal is to explain how the fungus shifts between a harmless gut resident and a pathogen that spreads to other organs.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: The grant mainly uses mice and laboratory samples, but if human samples or donations are requested, ideal contributors would include people with a history of Candida infections or those willing to provide blood or stool samples.
Not a fit: People without Candida exposure or those seeking immediate treatment changes are unlikely to benefit directly since this is primarily basic laboratory research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new strategies to prevent or treat Candida infections by blocking how the fungus colonizes the gut or evades immune cells.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies using genetic screens and mouse models have identified fungal genes linked to colonization and virulence, so this project builds on established methods while targeting newer regulatory pathways.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Perez, Jose Christian — University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston
- Study coordinator: Perez, Jose Christian
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.