C-type lectins in antifungal immunity

My research group has established that the recognition of fungal pathogens is mediated primarily bymolecules found on the surface of immune cells called C-type lectin receptors (CLRs). We haveshown that CLRs recognise fungal components and trigger intracellular signals which ultimatelycoordinate the hosts antifungal defense. Although offering tremendous therapeutic potential, ourunderstanding of the role of CLRs is still in its infancy. My research therefore aims to obtainfundamental new insights into the roles and functions of CLRs during fungal infection. We willexplore the systems that CLRs use to detect and direct the host response during fungal infection.We will determine how interactions of CLRs with other immune-related surface receptors influenceprotective host responses during infection, but also how these interactions have negativeconsequences such as driving lung inflammation. Finally, we will explore the role of CLRs on nonimmunecells, particularly those at the body's surface which are in contact with the environment. Insummary, this research will make major advances in our understanding of the ability of CLRs todrive protective and detrimental immune responses during fungal infection, and will have a directimpact on the management and treatment of these diseases in humans.