Candidiasis has remained the most common opportunistic oral infection in HIV positive individuals and AIDSpatients. Even following the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) approximately 30% ofAIDS patients acquire oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC). Candida albicans, the main causative agent of OPC,forms complex aggregated microbial communities, known as biofilms, on host oral mucosal surfaces whichplay an important role in establishing infections called ?oral thrush?. C.

Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infection in the lower genital tract can ascend to the upper genital tract, causing pathologies such as hydrosalpinx, a hallmark for tubal infertility in women. However, the mechanisms on how CT ascends and induces hydrosalpinx-causing inflammation in women remain unknown. Chlamydia muridarum (CM) have been extensively used for studying the mechanisms of CT pathogenesis and immunity because intravaginal inoculation with CM in some mice can induce hydrosalpinx similar to that observed in women.

Candidiasis has remained the most common opportunistic oral infection in HIV positive individuals and AIDSpatients. Even following the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) approximately 30% ofAIDS patients acquire oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC). Candida albicans, the main causative agent of OPC,forms complex aggregated microbial communities, known as biofilms, on host oral mucosal surfaces whichplay an important role in establishing infections called ?oral thrush?. C.

Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infection in the lower genital tract can ascend to the upper genital tract, causing pathologies such as hydrosalpinx, a hallmark for tubal infertility in women. However, the mechanisms on how CT ascends and induces hydrosalpinx-causing inflammation in women remain unknown. Chlamydia muridarum (CM) have been extensively used for studying the mechanisms of CT pathogenesis and immunity because intravaginal inoculation with CM in some mice can induce hydrosalpinx similar to that observed in women.

Lung pathology is a significant cause of the morbidity and mortality associated with acute respiratory virus infection. Respiratory viruses, such as influenza virus not only cause damage to the epithelium, but activate immune defense mechanisms. Although these immune mechanisms are employed to destroy and remove infected cells in an attempt to clear the virus, they can also promote lung pathology. However, the key cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate the balance between protection and tissue damage during acute viral infection remain poorly understood.

Lung pathology is a significant cause of the morbidity and mortality associated with acute respiratory virus infection. Respiratory viruses, such as influenza virus not only cause damage to the epithelium, but activate immune defense mechanisms. Although these immune mechanisms are employed to destroy and remove infected cells in an attempt to clear the virus, they can also promote lung pathology. However, the key cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate the balance between protection and tissue damage during acute viral infection remain poorly understood.

Malaria remains a significant global health problem that would greatly benefit from the development of avaccine. Protection against clinical disease could be achieved by eliciting a protective immune responseagainst the blood stage of the malaria parasite. However, only a very limited number of vaccine candidates arecurrently being studied. One approach to uncover novel potential vaccine targets is to analyze protective anti-malaria immunity in response to natural infection. Natural Plasmodium falciparum infections induce antibodyresponses that target the blood stage of this parasite.

Eukaryotic cells are organized with separate membrane-bound organelles with distinct lipid compositions. The lipid compositions are maintained through vesicular transport as well as the less-understood, lipid-transfer protein (LTP)-mediated, nonvesicular transport. It is important to gain a better understanding of lipid transfer process, as perturbations of lipid trafficking contribute to human pathologies including cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, cardiovascular diseases, obesity and diabetes.

Malaria remains a significant global health problem that would greatly benefit from the development of avaccine. Protection against clinical disease could be achieved by eliciting a protective immune responseagainst the blood stage of the malaria parasite. However, only a very limited number of vaccine candidates arecurrently being studied. One approach to uncover novel potential vaccine targets is to analyze protective anti-malaria immunity in response to natural infection. Natural Plasmodium falciparum infections induce antibodyresponses that target the blood stage of this parasite.

Eukaryotic cells are organized with separate membrane-bound organelles with distinct lipid compositions. The lipid compositions are maintained through vesicular transport as well as the less-understood, lipid-transfer protein (LTP)-mediated, nonvesicular transport. It is important to gain a better understanding of lipid transfer process, as perturbations of lipid trafficking contribute to human pathologies including cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, cardiovascular diseases, obesity and diabetes.