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Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
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:
Michael 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@hki-jena.de
PR service: pr@hki-jena.de
http://www.presse.hki-jena.de
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
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