050: Into the Matrix: Fungal Biofilms with David Andes

microTalk

Candida albicans is the most common fungal infection of humans. C. albicans can cause superficial infections like thrush or vaginitis when it overgrows within healthy individuals, but it causes much more serious disease when it infects immunocompromised individuals. C. albicans can form a matrix-encased biofilm on indwelling medical devices that serves as a source to seed systemic infections in patients.

Dr. David Andes is a professor at the University of Wisconsin and also the chief of Division of Infectious Disease who studies fungal infections.

Dr. Andes talks about the problem of fungal biofilms and antifungal resistance, how the biofilm matrix protects fungi from antifungals, the critical importance of developing new antifungals, and how mixing clinical duties and laboratory research is important for the advancement of fungal treatment.

The microCase for listeners to solve is about Sartha Mewart, a TV and media personality who gets an infection after her stint in prison.

Participants: Karl Klose, Ph.D. (UTSA) David Andes, M.D. (University of Wisconsin) Janakiram Seshu, Ph.D. (UTSA) Jose Lopez-Ribot, Ph.D., Pharm.D. (UTSA) Daniel Montelongo Jaregui (UTSA) Maggie Donohue (UTSA) Katie Quigley (UTSA)