FunNet2007 - Focussing and coordinating European research on human pathogenic fu

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FunNet2007 - Focussing and coordinating European research on human

pathogenic fungi

Informationsdienst Wissenschaft (Pressemitteilung) -

Bayreuth,NRW,Germany

Dr. Ramm, Pressestelle

Leibniz-Institut für Naturstoff-Forschung und Infektionsbiologie -

http://www.idw-online.de/pages/de/news230471

Infections with human pathogenic fungi, in particular Candida

species and Aspergillus fumigatus, are increasing, and yet their

biomedical significance is still thought to be underestimated.

Candida species frequently cause superficial infections of mucosa

and skin. However, in hospital settings, particularly in intensive

care units, these fungi are life-threatening and prevalent. Candida

infections account for the third most common type of hospital-

acquired infections in the USA, after Staphylococcus epidermidis and

S. aureus infections, reaching mortality rates of more than 50 %,

which are higher than those caused by bacterial pathogens such as

Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Even more dramatic are mortalities from

systemic infections with A. fumigatus (up to 90 %).

The biomedical importance of fungal infections has recently been

recognised by several research groups in Europe. Their projects are

supported by different transnational programmes of the European

Commission and national science foundations. Some eight European

networks focussing on molecular medical mycology and the training of

young researchers have been established during the 6th framework

programme and the ERANet-PathoGenomics scheme. Delegates and PhD

students of these networks gathered, for the first time, in a joint

meeting (FunNet2007 - Fungal Pathogen Networks) in Gosau, Austria,

organised by Karl Kuchler (Medical University of Vienna). In

addition to the scientific exchange and management meetings of

consortia, the networks discussed their visions and strategies

together in a joint FunNet2007 Workshop. This FunNet2007 workshop

was sparked by an earlier White Paper on Fungal Pathogens, which was

written in 2006 by Alistair Brown (Aberdeen University, UK) together

with eminent scientists in the field.

FunNet2007 concluded that a major aim of fungal pathogen networks

should be to increase the quality, reliability, accuracy and

efficiency of both clinical diagnoses and therapy of life-

threatening fungal diseases. It will also be crucial to elucidate

pathogenicity mechanisms driving fungal infections, in particular

the mechanisms triggering transition from commensal growth to

parasitic and systemic dissemination. The collaborative efforts of

microbiologists, clinicians and immunologists will be necessary, to

shed light on host responses, as well as on the pathogenic

mechanisms allowing for host invasion. Systematic approaches as well

as systems biology approaches will be required. In addition,

improved and widely available tool boxes need to be generated (i.e.

genome-wide mutant libraries, antibodies, animal models, vaccines),

as alongside methodological standardization. Also, the training of

young researchers in the most advanced technologies (eg post-

genomics, cell microbiology, immunology) that are all relevant to

medical and molecular mycology is essential. During FunNet2007,

delegates from different networks strongly highlighted the need for

interdisciplinary approaches, the integration of other fungal

pathogens (Cryptococcus, Fusarium, Trichophyton), and the

development of novel animal infection models (including those

enabling dissection of commensalism). More effective communication

with hospitals is also required, as well as biobanks with clinical

isolates, and cooperation with pharmaceutical industry and

clinicians. FunNet2007 concluded that these urgent needs have not

been met in FP7 as yet, and they should be included as relevant

topics in upcoming FP7 thematic calls.

European research networks with research topics on human pathogenic

fungi and their internet homepages are listed below for further

information. These homepages will provide a downloadable and updated

White Paper on Fungal Pathogens in Europe, in which future visions,

needs and strategies will be described in more detail, in spring

2008.

CanTrain http://www.cantrain.be

EURESFUN http://www.chuv.ch/imul/euresfun

FungWall http://www.fungwall.org

FunPath http://www.pathogenomics-era.net/projects

Galar Fungail II http://www.galarfungail.org

Glycoshield http://www.pathogenomics-era.net/projects

KinCan http://www.pathogenomics-era.net/projects

SignalPath http://cogeme.ex.ac.uk/signalpath/

Contact:

Ramm, PhD

Scientific Organisation

Leibniz Institute for NaturProduct Research and Infection Biology

- Hans Knöll Institute -

Beutenbergstrasse 11a

07745 Jena

T: +49 (0) 3641 - 65 66 42

F: +49 (0) 3641 - 65 66 20

michael.ramm@...

PR service: pr@...

http://www.presse.hki-jena.de

Weitere Informationen:

http://European Fungal Research Networks:

http://www.cantrain.be CanTrain

http://www.chuv.ch/imul/euresfun EURESFUN

http://www.fungwall.org FungWall

http://www.pathogenomics-era.net/projects FunPath

http://www.galarfungail.org Galar Fungail II

http://www.pathogenomics-era.net/projects Glycoshield

http://www.pathogenomics-era.net/projects KinCan

http://cogeme.ex.ac.uk/signalpath/ SignalPath

URL dieser Pressemitteilung: http://www.idw-

online.de/pages/de/news230471

Merkmale dieser Pressemitteilung:

Biologie und Biotechnologie, Medizin und Gesundheitswissenschaften

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