Host-induced Heterogeneity in Candida auris infection
Why the Lübeck-Sharjah Dual Degree Program?
From the moment I began studying microbiology, I was captivated by the hidden battles between pathogens and the human body. The chance to join this program offered me not only the opportunity to explore these battles more deeply, but also to contribute to solutions to combat a public health concern. So far, the experience has been both engaging and full of challenges that drive me to grow as a researcher. Collaborating with experts from diverse backgrounds has expanded my technical skills, broadened my perspectives, and sharpened my ability to adapt to new approaches. My project focuses on Candida auris, an emerging fungal pathogen that poses a major concern due to its resistance to multiple antifungal drugs. I am investigating how this fungus interacts with human cells and the mechanisms it uses to adapt and persist inside the host. By uncovering these processes, the research may help inform better treatment approaches and strategies to combat infections caused by this dangerous organism.
The Project:
Candida auris is an emerging multidrug-resistant fungal pathogen that poses a major threat to immunocompromised patients due to its ability to cause invasive infections with high mortality and therapeutic failure. Its persistence on skin, medical devices, and healthcare surfaces contributes to nosocomial transmission and global spread. Despite its clinical importance, the mechanisms underlying C. auris persistence, phenotypic heterogeneity, and host adaptation remain poorly understood. This project investigates the interaction between C. auris and host cells to identify the virulence mechanisms that enable colonization, biofilm formation, immune evasion, and invasion. The study further aims to determine whether host pressures drive heterogeneity within C. auris cellular population, influencing antifungal resistance and pathogenic potential. By combining phenotypic, molecular, and metabolic approaches, the research seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding of host–pathogen dynamics that could inform the development of novel therapeutic strategies.
Salam Mohamad Dak Al Bab
Second Year Phd Student
PIs Lübeck:
Prof. Dennis Nurjadi
Prof. Hauke Busch
PIs Sharjah:
Prof. Sameh Soliman
- Projects
- Lina Walid Moh'd Sahnoon
- Nawal Saeed Ali Alhafri Alketbi
- Ranyah Mohammed Saleh Al-hakm
- Salam Mohamad Dak Al Bab
