Here we are excited by the cell biology of the environmental fungus Cryptococcus neoformans, and by the fascinating cellular interactions this yeast exhibits with its host cells. The Santiago-Tirado Lab combines its expertise in cell biology with training in fungal pathogenesis, and we aim to understand how C. neoformans can survive inside host phagocytes and cross cellular barriers, which are the main drivers of disease progression. We are also interested in the unique cell biology of this fungus, especially on the function of its many virulence factors, offering the potential to uncover novel therapeutic targets as well as insights applicable to other fungal or respiratory pathogens.
