Students in Carruthers lab wearing lab coats
Eukaryotic Pathogens

Researchers at the University of Michigan Medical School Department of Microbiology and Immunology are investigating how eukaryotic pathogens impact the central nervous system and immune system.

Learn more below about the areas of investigation related to fungus, parasitic and protozoan eukaryotic pathogens and their affects on the body. Additionally, view a list of faculty conducting research in these areas.

Areas of Investigations

Fungus research areas:

  • The role that colonization of the gut by Candida albicans may have on the regulation of immune responses throughout the body
  • The pathogenesis of the opportunistic fungi Cryptococcus neoformans and Aspergillis fumigatus and host defense against these microbes in the lungs and sinuses

Protozoa and parasite research areas:

  • The common obligate intracellular protozoa Toxoplasma gondii with respect to its molecular mechanism of entry into target cells of the central nervous system
  • This genetically and biochemically tractable parasite serves as an excellent model for invasion.
Faculty researching Eukaryotic Pathogens
vern-carruthers Vernon B Carruthers, PhD
Associate Chair
Department of Microbiology and Immunology
Professor of Microbiology and Immunology
headshot of Gary Huffnagle Gary B Huffnagle, PhD
Nina and Jerry D Luptak Research Professor
Research Professor
Mary H Weiser Food Allergy Center
Professor of Internal Medicine
Professor of Microbiology and Immunology
Professor of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology
College of Literature, Science, and the Arts
headshot of eresa OMeara-Teresa-2023.png Teresa O'Meara, PhD
Assistant Professor
MICHAL A OLSZEWSKI Michal A Olszewski, DVM, PhD
Professor of Internal Medicine
Professor of Microbiology and Immunology
wang-yifan Yifan Wang, DVM, PhD
Assistant Professor of Microbiology and Immunology