Dissecting the host response underlying recognition of a diverse group of pathogens

Oomycetes are fungal-like pathogens causing disease in humans, such as the deadly tropical pythiosis for which no drugs are currently available. Infections by oomycetes have been so far difficult to study due to the paucity of tractable experimental systems. We have recently discovered that oomycetes are natural pathogens of the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans, a microscopic animal that is easy to culture in the laboratory allowing us to model these understudied infections. 

We will dissect how animals sense these pathogens in order to mount defence responses. Our preliminary results indicate that communication between different tissues is required, which highlights the need to work at the whole-organism level as opposed to isolated cell lines. 

This work will allow us to gain insights into oomycete recognition in animals and understand core mechanisms of cross-tissue communication, which may have key implications for systemic human disease and immunity.