Overview of Research Program
In the Hill/Loprete/Jackson-Hayes Lab

Principal Investigators

The long-term goal of research in this laboratory is to understand how the structural components of fungal cell walls are synthesized, assembled according to specific patterns, and developmentally modified throughout the organism's life. Through a better understanding the cell wall we may discover keys to greater control over fungal growth, especially by identifying potential targets of new drugs against infectious fungi. This laboratory is working to identify and characterize genes (Cal genes) in the fungus Aspergillus nidulans, which confer hypersensitivity to the wall-compromising agent Calcofluor White (CFW). This phenotype correlates with defects in wall integrity. Work is underway to carry out extensive phenotypic characterization of several such mutants and to identify specific mutated genes using molecular techniques. Click here for more information on our research strategy and results.

Students with strong research interests in cell biology, biochemistry, genetics, or microbiology are encouraged to apply for positions in this lab.

Research Students Summer 2008

For information on current and former student lab members, click here.

Link to Hill Homepage

Link to Jackson-Hayes Homepage

Link to Loprete Homepage

Link to Gremillion Homepage