• Question: what would you be studying if covid didn't take over ?

    Asked by katieE to Danielle on 9 Nov 2021. This question was also asked by zoed.
    • Photo: Danielle Nader

      Danielle Nader answered on 9 Nov 2021:

      My PhD project actually started off with a different topic, which was about the fungus Candida albicans. This microbe is called ‘commensal’ which means lives in our skin, intestines, urinary system without doing any harm and actually helps us a lot by fighting off bad bacteria and bad fungi. However, when we become immunocompromised, lets say by taking too many antibiotics, or didnt take care of a dirty cut, this fungus can become overpopulated and switches into becoming very dangerous. If Candida enters the bloodstream, it is very difficult to get out. My project is about studying how to stop Candida from attaching to our cells, and we have made a drug that can stop this from happening!

      Since COVID, I also decided to start working on that virus too. But I am still working on Candida in the meantime. Sort of a double PhD project!

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