(Internal) Computational inhibitor design for novel antifungal strategies

Advisor: Jennifer Geddes-McAlister, Molecular and Cellular Biology

Proposed computational advisor: Andrew Hamilton-Wright

Fungal pathogens pose global health threats and the increasing rate of antifungal resistance jeopardizes our ability to fight infections. The Geddes-McAlister lab investigates fluconazole resistance in the human fungal pathogen, Cryptococcus neoformans, by identifying proteins with significant changes in abundance that drive resistance. In vitro experiments have identified proteins associated with fluconazole resistance that will be targets for inhibitor design. Using computational strategies, including Alphafold, protein modeling, molecular dynamics, to identify potential inhibitors for reversing antifungal resistance. 

This is a one-semester project with a possibility to extend to two semesters. The student is required to be on-site for the duration of the project.

Knowledge/Skills

• Familiarity with microbiology and immunology
• Interest in drug discovery
• Knowledge of computational drug discovery platforms