Students in Carruthers lab wearing lab coats

Eukaryotic Pathogens

Researchers at the University of Michigan Medical School Department of Microbiology and Immunology are investigating how eukaryotic pathogens impact the central nervous system and immune system.

Learn more below about the areas of investigation related to fungus, parasitic and protozoan eukaryotic pathogens and their affects on the body. Additionally, view a list of faculty conducting research in these areas.

Areas of Investigations

Fungus research areas:

  • The role that colonization of the gut by Candida albicans may have on the regulation of immune responses throughout the body
  • The pathogenesis of the opportunistic fungi Cryptococcus neoformans and Aspergillis fumigatus and host defense against these microbes in the lungs and sinuses

Protozoa and parasite research areas:

  • The common obligate intracellular protozoa Toxoplasma gondii with respect to its molecular mechanism of entry into target cells of the central nervous system
  • This genetically and biochemically tractable parasite serves as an excellent model for invasion.

Faculty researching Eukaryotic Pathogens
vern-carruthers

Vernon B Carruthers, PhD
Professor of Microbiology and Immunology
Medical School
headshot of Gary Huffnagle

Gary B Huffnagle, PhD
Nina and Jerry D Luptak Research Professor
Research Professor
Mary H Weiser Food Allergy Center
Professor of Internal Medicine
Professor of Microbiology and Immunology
Medical School and Professor of Molecular
Cellular and Developmental Biology
College of Literature, Science, and the Arts
headshot of eresa OMeara-Teresa-2023.png

Teresa O'Meara, PhD
Associate Professor of Microbiology and Immunology
Medical School
MICHAL A OLSZEWSKI

Michal A Olszewski, DVM, PhD
Professor of Internal Medicine
Professor of Microbiology and Immunology
Associate Director Academic Program
Immunology Graduate Program
Medical School
wang-yifan

Yifan Wang, DVM, PhD
Assistant Professor of Microbiology and Immunology
Medical School