Molecular Identification of Human Fungal Pathogens

Each task that was proposed in the first 12 months of this study is on, or ahead of schedule. Methods have been standardized so that they can be performed and accomplished independent of the species of fungus. We have developed a simple universal extraction method and a universal PCR method, which most importantly, uses a single extraction reagent and the same set of primers for each isolate. Databases have been set up and data are now being added. A web portal has been created to allow access to search algorithms for the database. Preliminary identifications using our methods have been successful and resulted in a publication, as well as a new collaboration on an NIH grant. Type cultures and clinical cultures are being added to our collections, and their sequences are being added to the databases. The framework, from database entries to sequence recovery, has been established and will be continually ramped up as we add sequences at a faster rate. We will also continue to improve our methods, such as a filter based DNA extraction for easy transport and sequencing for cost reduction, in order to make the entire process as efficient as possible.