Donald Sheppard

My laboratory is involved in identifying the molecular mechanisms whereby pathogenic fungi cause human disease. Our work focuses on two pathogens, Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus, both of which cause fatal infections in immunocompromised hosts. The adherence of these organisms to host tissues, especially vascular endothelial cells is a critical step in the pathogenesis of infection, and our work has begun to elucidate the fungal adhesins involved in this process and the genetic pathways controlling their expression.