Candida albicans: Cellular and Molecular Biology

This book on Candida albicans and similar pathogens provides a timely overview of the groundbreaking discoveries made in the areas of drug resistance, host-pathogen interactions, virulence, host immune system modulation, etc. in the last two decades. This comprehensive compilation includes chapters on fungal infections, hyphal morphogenesis, molecular mechanisms of antifungal resistance, antifungal agents, multidrug transporters, virulence mechanisms in Candida albicans, host-pathogen interactions, the cell wall, fungal biofilms, lipids and antifungal resistance, signaling mechanisms and last but not the least host-immune responses. Fungal infections have become a leading cause of mortality in immune-compromised individuals. Among pathogenic fungi, the Candida species have emerged as the most vicious candidates, with the capability to cause life-threatening invasive infections. Fortunately, the advent of high-throughput technologies has made the screening of drug targets in such pathogens more feasible than it was a decade ago. This book offers an ideal reference guide for mycologists, researchers, pharmacists, clinicians and under-graduate students engaged or interested in fungal research. It will also benefit clinicians who are required to keep abreast of the current state of research on antifungal drug resistance and antifungal development.