FEBS advanced practical course “State-of-the-art infection models to study molecular mechanisms of human fungal infections”

This course is designed to train graduate students, post-docs, and young independent investigators in state-of-the-art infection models to study human fungal pathogens. Training is provided through laboratory exercises and demonstrations, lectures by resident faculty and visiting seminar speakers, and informal discussions.

Laboratory exercises focus primarily on Candida and Aspergillus, and include different infection models such as cell culture, interaction with primary immune cells, alternative model hosts and murine models, combined with a wide array of state-of-the-art read-out methods, e.g. adhesion, invasion and damage assays, phagocytosis assays, cytokine quantification, transcription analysis and in vivo imaging. In order to broaden students understanding of infection models and pathogenesis, invited seminar speakers provide further insight into Candida, Aspergillus and Cryptococcus biology and the methods and models used to study interaction of these fungi with the host.

Social evenings and coffee/lunch breaks provide ample opportunities for informal exchange and discussions between participants and lecturers.