The extracellular matrix of Candida albicans and Candida glabrata biofilms

• Grant number: 16/00256-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• Start date: April 01, 2016
• End date: September 30, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Microbiology - Applied Microbiology
• Principal Investigator: Ana Cláudia Pavarina
• Grantee: Beatriz Helena Dias Panariello
• Supervisor: Simone Duarte
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Odontologia (FOAr). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araraquara. Araraquara , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: New York University, United States
• Associated to the scholarship: 14/18804-1 - Extracellular matrix of susceptible and fluconazole-resistant Candida albicans and Candida glabrata biofilms: characterization, action of hydrolytic enzymes and efficacy of the combination of enzymes to Photodynamic Therapy., BP.DR

Abstract

Infections caused by Candida spp. are often associated with biofilm formation, among them oral candidiasis is highly prevalent in denture users. Biofilms are a complex microstructure of cells adhered to a surface and embedded within an extracellular matrix (ECM). The Candida spp. biofilms resistance to antifungals is multifactorial, including the protective effect of the biofilm ECM caused by ²-glucans that bind to fluconazole and amphotericin B, preventing the penetration of these drugs into the biofilm. In addition, the ECM contains extracellular DNA (eDNA) that also contributes to the structural integrity of Candida spp. biofilm. Therefore, the aim of this study is to conduct a comparative evaluation of biofilms ECM of Candida albicans e Candida glabrata, including two C. albicans mutant strains with deficient biofilm formation ability, tec 1 and efg 1. Biochemical and spectroscopic analyses will be made to determine the content of soluble and insoluble polysaccharides, eDNA, and morphological aspects (variable pressure scanning electron microscopy- VPSEM and confocal scanning laser microscopy- CSLM). To analyze the structure and function of carbohydrates, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) will be performed. As ECM is inherent to all biofilms in nature, the optimization of parameters could be applied to medically important biofilms.

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

DIAS PANARIELLO, BEATRIZ HELENA; KLEIN, MARLISE I.; PAVARINA, ANA CLAUDIA; DUARTE, SIMONE. Inactivation of genes TEC1 and EFG1 in Candida albicans influences extracellular matrix composition and biofilm morphology. JOURNAL OF ORAL MICROBIOLOGY, v. 9, OCT 17 2017. (14/50857-8, 16/00256-3, 14/18804-1)