Alspaugh Lab

Dr. Andrew Alspaugh’s laboratory-based research program focuses on the molecular pathogenesis of human fungal infections. These infections occur in our most vulnerable patient populations, especially those with severe defects in immunity.

In basic and translational studies, he has defined specific ways in which fungi sense and respond to various stress signals to survive within the infected host. He has defined microbial cellular processes that are required for the survival of fungal pathogens in the context of infection. Among these pathways, his laboratory identified Cryptococcus neoformans Ras proteins and the fungal-specific Pal/Rim signaling pathway as central means by which this opportunistic fungal pathogen senses and responds to the host environment. He has also explored the role of copper homeostasis in C. neoformans pathogenesis, identifying a novel role for copper regulation of fungal cell wall homeostasis. In recent studies, his laboratory program has defined the role of several post-translational protein modifications (ubiquitination, farnesylation, palmitoylation) in microbial stress responses and pathogenesis of infection. His laboratory team has several research strengths, including molecular genetics in fungal pathogens, large-scale genetic screening, in vitro modeling of host-pathogen interactions, and relevant in vivo modeling of fungal infections.

Over the past several years, he has developed diverse research collaborations, including those with Dr. Mari Shinohara (Duke Department of Integrative Immunobiology – innate immune response to infection and injury); Dr. Floyd Wormley (Texas Christian University – immune response to C. neoformans); Dr. Joseph Heitman (Duke Dept of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology – molecular fungal pathogenesis); Dr. John Perfect (Duke Department of Medicine – translational mycology); Dr. Maurizio DelPoeta (Stonybrook University – C. neoformans lipid metabolism and synthesis); Dr. Katja Johansen (University of Copenhagen – LPMO activity in fungi); and Dr. Kathy Franz (Duke Dept of Chemistry – protein metalation and Cu biology).