Genotypic variation in Candida spp. isolates from recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (“yeast infections”) affect 75% of women at some point in their life. Approximately 10% of them will experience recurrent yeast infections, which have considerable emotional and economic ramifications and require prolonged antifungal treatment. Despite the prevalence of recurrent yeast infections, we lack an understanding of the human immune system and microbial population factors that cause some women to experience recurrence. During my internship, I will use genetic bioinformatic analyses to compare yeast isolates collected from symptomatic infections from women with a history of recurrent infections. I will quantify genetic differences among different vaginal isolates taken from the same person and at different time points during symptomatic infection episodes. This will help us to better understand what happens to the yeast populations between symptomatic episodes and provide genetic clues that may point towards improved treatments aiming to reduce or prevent recurrent infections.

Faculty Supervisor:

Aleeza Gerstein

Student:

Partner:

Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Health and Related Sciences & Technology

University:

University of Manitoba

Program: