As a result of medical advances that prolong the lives of many patients with life- threatening conditions (cancer, AIDS, and transplants), which often compromise host defenses and immunity, the incidence of opportunistic fungal infections continues to increase. The development of new antifungal drugs has improved the prognosis for many patients, but they have also led to the emergence of new and more resistant pathogenic fungi. Thus, it is essential to recruit and train young scientists to develop rigorous independent careers focused on mycological research. The same mandate applies to research on fungal plant pathogens, which continue to reduce the global food supply. In contrast, several innocuous fungal species have become powerful surrogates for studies of eukaryotic biology and genetics. These model fungi species have proved indispensable in driving progress in biomedical sciences and biotechnology. Thus, investigators and institutes in multiple areas of research continue to seek scientists who are capable of utilizing model fungi as experimental tools. This application proposes a continuation of the multidisciplinary, tri-institutional Molecular Mycology and Pathogenesis Training Program (MMPTP), which was awarded 10 years ago. The MMPTP involves three neighboring institutions, Duke University, North Carolina State University and North Carolina University at Chapel Hill. The 26 faculty members constitute perhaps the largest concentration of researchers who study fungi. They share resources, interact regularly, and collaborate frequently. The MMPTP recruits, supports, and trains promising postdoctoral scientists and physicians to develop productive research careers in molecular mycology and pathogenesis. Candidates for training include recent doctoral graduates in biomedical sciences, physicians who have completed residency training, and experienced postdoctoral fungal researchers with outstanding potential who are supported for shorter tenures to enhance their expertise. These trainees will become the future experts and leaders in diverse areas of fungal research in academia, industry, and government. The MMPTP has been highly successful. All 24 trainees who completed the program have productive careers in science. One is a governmental scientist, seven are in industry, and 16 are in academia including multiple alumni who are assistant and associate professors with tenure excelling in mycology.

Public Health Relevance

This successful postdoctoral training program includes 26 faculty members at three neighboring universities, Duke University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and North Carolina State University. The program provides a broad range of rigorous research training with a common focus on fungi as pathogens and as model eukaryotes. Twenty-four trainees have completed the program, and all are employed as research scientists in academia, industry or government.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Institutional National Research Service Award (T32)
Project #
5T32AI052080-12
Application #
8909032
Study Section
Microbiology and Infectious Diseases B Subcommittee (MID)
Program Officer
Robbins, Christiane M
Project Start
2002-07-01
Project End
2019-07-31
Budget Start
2015-08-01
Budget End
2016-07-31
Support Year
12
Fiscal Year
2015
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Duke University
Department
Genetics
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
044387793
City
Durham
State
NC
Country
United States
Zip Code
27705
Maskarinec, Stacey A; Parlak, Zehra; Tu, Qing et al. (2018) On-demand release of Candida albicans biofilms from urinary catheters by mechanical surface deformation. Biofouling 34:595-604
Maxwell, Colin S (2018) Hypothesis: a Plastically Produced Phenotype Predicts Host Specialization and Can Precede Subsequent Mutations in Bacteriophage. MBio 9:
Maskarinec, Stacey A; Thaden, Joshua T; Cyr, Derek D et al. (2017) The Risk of Cardiac Device-Related Infection in Bacteremic Patients Is Species Specific: Results of a 12-Year Prospective Cohort. Open Forum Infect Dis 4:ofx132
Smith, Aaron D; Logeman, Brandon L; Thiele, Dennis J (2017) Copper Acquisition and Utilization in Fungi. Annu Rev Microbiol 71:597-623
Miao, Yi; Tenor, Jennifer L; Toffaletti, Dena L et al. (2017) Structural and In Vivo Studies on Trehalose-6-Phosphate Synthase from Pathogenic Fungi Provide Insights into Its Catalytic Mechanism, Biological Necessity, and Potential for Novel Antifungal Drug Design. MBio 8:
Thaden, Joshua T; Park, Lawrence P; Maskarinec, Stacey A et al. (2017) Results from a 13-Year Prospective Cohort Study Show Increased Mortality Associated with Bloodstream Infections Caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa Compared to Other Bacteria. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 61:
Shwab, Elliot K; Juvvadi, Praveen R; Waitt, Greg et al. (2017) Phosphorylation of Aspergillus fumigatus PkaR impacts growth and cell wall integrity through novel mechanisms. FEBS Lett 591:3730-3744
Lee, Soo Chan; Heitman, Joseph (2017) Dynamics of parasitophorous vacuoles formed by the microsporidian pathogen Encephalitozoon cuniculi. Fungal Genet Biol 107:20-23
Thaden, Joshua T; Li, Yanhong; Ruffin, Felicia et al. (2017) Increased Costs Associated with Bloodstream Infections Caused by Multidrug-Resistant Gram-Negative Bacteria Are Due Primarily to Patients with Hospital-Acquired Infections. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 61:
Shwab, E Keats; Juvvadi, Praveen R; Waitt, Greg et al. (2017) A Novel Phosphoregulatory Switch Controls the Activity and Function of the Major Catalytic Subunit of Protein Kinase A in Aspergillus fumigatus. MBio 8:

Showing the most recent 10 out of 74 publications