Candidalysin is the first cytolytic peptide toxin isolated from a human fungal pathogen. In the case of Candida albicans, the main causal agent of infections, candidalysine production induces i) the formation of pores in host cell membranes that lead to cell lysis and ii) the inflammasome reaction which activates the immune response. Whereas the final effects of this toxin are well described, the underlying mechanisms and molecular interactions governing its activity are not yet totally understood. This is mostly due to the underuse of approaches giving access to high resolution imaging and molecular sensing. Filling this gap requires the combination of innovative methods at the interface between biology, biophysics and physico-chemistry. In this we will use atomic force microscopy (AFM) and force spectroscopy approaches to probe the interactions at the nanometric and molecular scales and decipher the mode of action of this toxin.
To apply for this job email your details to sofiane.elkirat@u-bordeaux.fr