Interaction of Aspergillus fumigatus with human leukocytes

Aspergillus fumigatus is a pathogen that can cause severe infections in immunosuppressed patients. Phagocytosis is one of the main mechanisms of immune defense. This project investigates Host-Pathogen-Interactions of leukocytes and A. fumigatus, looking at adhesion, phagocytosis-rate, virulence and immune-evasion. In a sub-project, mutants of A. fumigatus with defects in GPI-anchored surface molecules or with defects in secondary metabolic pathways are characterized regarding their interaction with human leukocytes.