Candida Infection Biology – fungal armoury, battlefields ... - FINSysB

Genetic Control of Candida albicans Biofilm Formation
J.S. Finkel 1 , F. Lanni 1 , J. Nett 2 , D. Huang 1 , J. Suhan 1 , A. Nantel 3 , D. Andes 2 ,
A.P. Mitchell 1
1 Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA; 2 Department
of Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI; 3 Biotechnology Research Institute,
National Research Council of Canada, Montreal, QC
Implanted medical devices, such as venous catheters and artificial heart valves,
are associated with a significant risk of microbial infection. These infections arise
because device surfaces support biofilm formation. We have worked to define the
genetic basis for C. albicans biofilm formation as a means to understand the
underlying mechanisms. We have focused on transcription factors because they
often govern expression of functionally related genes. We have recently identified
transcription factors that are required for adherence to a silicone substrate in vitro.
In vitro assays indicate that many of these transcription factors are not required for
biofilm formation per se, but are required for normal biofilm morphology.
Importantly, several of these newly defined biofilm transcription factors are required
for biofilm formation in vivo, as assayed in a rat venous catheter model. We will
present target gene analysis that points toward the mechanistic basis for these
biofilm defects.
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