Description:
Cryptococcus, like many fungi, produces spores that are found in the air that we breathe. These spores will be inhaled into our lungs but they do not cause any harm because of our immune defences. However, they can cause life-threatening infections in individuals that have a weakened immune system, for example those that have AIDS or have had an organ transplant.
So, we’re interested in immune cells called macrophages which are needed for immune defence against Cryptococcus.
It is impossible to see how immune cells destroy this fungus during infection because we do not have see-through bodies. So, in order to study this we are using zebrafish. Zebrafish have a similar immune system like our own but are transparent which makes it possible to see how infections happen. Using zebrafish we are testing new ways to enhance immune defences against Cryptococcus.
Ultimately these investigations may lead to development of novel therapies towards Cryptococcal infections.
Alfred Kamuyango works in Professor Simon Johnston’s lab at the University of Sheffield.
Medical and Patient education videos
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News article made for the regional BBC TV program North West Tonight during the 7th Advances Against Aspergillosis Meeting in Manchester, UK. March 3rd 2016.
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Dr Ritesh Argawal discusses fungal sinusitis and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) with patients.
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Dr Richard Moss discusses allergic Aspergillosis, Asthma, children affected by Aspergillus + Q & A with patients.
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Darius Armstrong-James discusses a new aspergillosis clinic in the South East + Q & A with patients.
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BBC ran an awareness story during the Advances Against Aspergillosis conference in Manchester, UK about the dangers to our health posed by Aspergillus and some of the most common ways the fungus can grow and multiply in our homes. Ann Saunders and Prof David Denning, Director of the National Aspergillosis Centre helped discuss the issues.
Estimated audience at 7.40am is 1.5 million.
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The international Advances Against Aspergillosis conference came to Manchester this year (2016) and brought together the aspergillosis medical, scientific and patient communities for the first time in two years. Much progress was discussed and reported, awareness reaching 5 million people via UK TV BBC1 during the meeting.
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ERS Vision: Take the Active Option: the benefits of exercise in respiratory medicine
