Genetics and Genomics of Candida albicans BiofilmFormation

Candida albicans biofilm formation is a poorlyunderstood, complex biological process withsignificant consequences for human health. In thisthesis, I describe the progress I have made inelucidating the genetic mechanisms of Candidaalbicans biofilm formation using a large-scale genedisruption strategy. The Bcr1-dependent adherenceregulatory pathway that I discovered is pivotal toour understanding of C. albicans biofilm formation.Without the transcription factor Bcr1, named forBiofilm and Cell-wall Regulator, C. albicans cellsare unable to form biofilms, a process that isextremely important to its lifestyle andpathogenicity. Expression analysis indicates thatBcr1 activates cell surface protein and adhesingenes, whose gene products could be used to developnew anti-fungal therapies.

Autorentext

Clarissa Nobile was born in Rome and grew up in NYC. She attended Swarthmore College for her undergraduate studies, and Columbia University for graduate school. Her PhD research was focused on the study of biofilm development. She has been trained in microbiology and microbial pathogenesis using molecular biology and genetic techniques.