Eukaryotic Microbial Models asperigullus plate

Parasitic protozoa are exploited to elaborate the early evolution of eukaryotic genomes. Of a special interest to this group are:

  • Anaerobic and parasitic (Trichomonas, Microsporidia, Giardia, and Entamoeba), or
  • Pathogenic (Aspergillus nidulans, Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Cryptococcus neoformans) model organisms.

Research into these organisms includes:

  • Transcriptional control of nitrogen metabolite repression;
  • Stress responses;
  • Influence of nutrient availability;
  • Molecular and cellular evolution of eukaryotic cells, their genomes and organelles.

Other aspects of research exploit the genetic tractability of S. cerevisiae and S. pombe to explore fundamental cellular processes, such as:

  • Regulation of the cell cycle;
  • Investigation of targeting;
  • Intracellular translocation and sorting events;
  • Organelle function and biogenesis;
  • Cell biology of ribonucleoprotein particles;
  • ROS-‘reactive oxygen species’ sensing and signalling;
  • Function of HIRA histone chaperones;
  • Zinc-responsive transcription factors and signalling pathways.  

Find out more about our people.

A bi-monthly ‘North East Fungal Forum (NEFF)' meeting attracts researchers from Universities across the UK. Members of this group were selected to host the prestigious 2004 British Yeast Group Meeting.