Fungal infections caused by yeasts of the genus Candida are the fourth most common cause of healthcare-associated bloodstream infections in the United States. Previous research has identified a small molecule, named Filastatin, which reduces the adhesion ability of Candida to surfaces and prevents its ability to form biofilms. The ultimate goal of this project was to develop biophysical techniques to study fungal attachment and how this may be altered pharmacologically using drugs such as Filastatin or genetically using mutants. Atomic force microscopy was used as an experimental technique to determine single-cell adhesion forces of Candida albicans. The experiments conducted will help determine the effectiveness of Filastatin in reducing the adhesion of Candida to medical surfaces.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Rosch, Jonah Cosmo
• Noreldin, Rony M.

Contributors

• Vargas, Diego

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-032315-212117

Advisor

• Rao, Reeta Prusty
• Camesano, Terri Anne

Year

• 2015

Date created

• 2015-03-23

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Chemical Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright