S. Brunke

Competitive fungal commensalism mitigates candidiasis pathology

This study identifies a fungal commensal that competes with Candida albicans to reduce its burden and mitigate candidiasis in mice.

A synthetic peptide mimic kills Candida albicans and synergistically prevents infection

This study identifies synthetic peptide mimics that kill Candida albicans and synergize with caspofungin to prevent infection, showing efficacy in vitro and in vivo without resistance development.

Transient mitochondria dysfunction confers fungal cross-resistance between macrophages and fluconazole

This study shows that C. glabrata's mitochondrial dysfunction confers cross-resistance to antifungals and macrophages, suggesting a bet-hedging strategy.

Phagocytic predation by the fungivorous amoeba Protostelium aurantium targets metal ion and redox homeostasis

This study shows that the amoeba Protostelium aurantium targets fungal copper and redox homeostasis during predation, with gene deletions in C. parapsilosis confirming their role in survival against phagocytic killing.