Suzanne Noble, MD, PhD

Candida albicans is unique among ~1,000,000 species of fungi on this planet, as it is both a normal component of the mammalian microbiome and the most common fungal pathogen of humans.  The core research objective of our laboratory is to define the molecular basis of host-microbe interactions that foster both lifestyles.

To approach this question, we have developed and exploited genetic resources, animal models of infection and commensalism, mass spectrometry, whole-genome chromatin immunoprecipitation, and a variety of other tools.  To date we have identified a series of novel virulence factors that act independently of the yeast-to-hyphal transition, previously thought to be the major virulence specialization.  Among the novel effectors are a glycolipid critical for infection (Noble et al., 2010).  We have also identified an evolutionarily plastic transcriptional network whose activity has opposite roles in commensalism versus disseminated infection (Chen et al., 2011), implying that distinct genetic programs underlie commensalism versus virulence.   We are now systematically identifying the circuits and effectors that mediate commensalism.  In separate studies, we are using high-throughput robotics, gene deletion libraries, and in situ mass spectrometry to elucidate the molecules that mediate communication between C. albicans and bacterial commensal species.

Our laboratory is located on the 4th floor of HSE, and is adjacent to a number of other laboratories studying aspects of microbial pathogenesis and host responses.  We are always interested in recruiting outstanding students and postdoctoral fellows who wish to study host-pathogen interactions using cutting edge approaches. Contact information for Professor Noble: Suzanne.Noble[at]ucsf.edu.