O. Zaragoza

Characterization of a selective, iron-chelating antifungal compound that disrupts fungal metabolism and synergizes with fluconazole

This paper characterizes NR-6226C, a selective antifungal compound that chelates iron, disrupts fungal metabolism, and synergizes with fluconazole against Candida species.

Identification of small molecules with virus growth enhancement properties

This paper identifies small molecules that enhance virus growth by promoting host-virus membrane fusion, with ethynylestradiol shown to boost SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza A virus growth in vitro.

Two distinct lipid transporters together regulate invasive filamentous growth in the human fungal pathogen Candida albicans

This study identifies two lipid transporters, Drs2 and Osh4, that regulate invasive filamentous growth in C. albicans via PI(4)P, with Drs2 having additional roles in plasma membrane organization.

Pharmacological inhibition of titan-like cells formation suggests that accumulation of endogenous free radicals that correlate with mitochondrial changes are required to induce this transition in Cryptococcus neoformans

This paper identifies compounds that inhibit titan-like cell formation in Cryptococcus neoformans, suggesting that endogenous ROS and mitochondrial changes are critical for this process.

Minilungs from hESCs to study the interaction of Streptococcus pneumoniae with the respiratory tract

This paper develops human minilungs from hESCs to model pneumococcal infection events like adherence, internalization, and innate immune response.

Plasma membrane phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate is not necessary for Candida albicans viability, yet is key for cell wall integrity and systemic infection

This study shows plasma membrane PI(4)P is not essential for Candida albicans viability but is critical for filamentation, cell wall integrity, and virulence in systemic infections.

Cryptococcus neoformans can form titan-like cells in vitro in response to multiple signals that require the activation of several transduction pathways

This paper describes in vitro conditions that induce titan-like cell formation in Cryptococcus neoformans and identifies signaling pathways and gene expression changes associated with this process.