Dr Ana Traven

Research Fellow

Tel:     +61-3-9902 9219

Fax:    +61-3-9905 3726

Office: Rm 251, Level 2, Building 76 (STRIP 2)

Email:   ana.traven@med.monash.edu.au

Link to Molecular Biology of Host-pathogens Interaction

Developmental Pathways and Virulence in Model and Pathogenic Fungi

Opportunistic infections with fungal pathogens have become an important medical problem in recent years, mainly due to an increase in numbers of immunocompromised patients (such as those suffering from cancer or HIV). The major fungal pathogen of humans is Candida albicans and mortality from systemic fungal infections is extremely high (more than 40%). New therapies are urgently needed.

We work on gene expression mechanisms that control virulence in Candida albicans. Our work focuses on biogenesis of the yeast cell surface-the cell wall, as well as determination of cell morphology. These cellular processes are studied in the context of two developmental pathways: the yeast-to-hyphae transition and the formation of multicellular biofilms. Our Candida work is also informed by studies in the model yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

We have a particular interest in posttranscriptional mechanisms of gene expression that control mRNA degradation and translation.  We are also working on how transcription factors from the broad group of co-activators of transcription act to ensure yeast cell wall biogenesis and morphogenesis. We use genetics, cell biology, biochemistry and whole transcriptome analysis techniques (microarray analysis and new generation sequencing strategies), as well as mass spectrometry (in collaboration with Dr. Filomena Pettolino, University of Melbourne) and bioinformatics (in collaboration with Dr. Vladimir Likic, Bio21 Institute).

Current Projects

1. Understanding posttranscriptional control by the Ccr4-Pop2-NOT mRNA deadenylase in cell wall biogenesis and morphogenesis in Candida albicans.
2. Dissecting the roles played by Pumilio RNA binding proteins in cell cycle control and filamentous growth in model and pathogenic yeasts.
3. Understanding how the Mediator complex controls transcription in Candida albicans and impacts on cell wall biogenesis and cell morphology.

Selected Publications

1. Traven A, Jeličić B, Sopta M Gal4: A transcriptional paradigm revisited. EMBO Rep 7: 496-499 (2006)
2. Traven A, Hammet A, Tenis N, Denis CL, Heierhorst J Ccr4-NOT complex mRNA deadenylase activity contributes to DNA damage response in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Genetics 169: 65-75 (2005)
3. Traven A, Huang DC, Lithgow T Protein hijacking: key proteins held captive against their will. Cancer Cell 5:107-108 (2004)
4. Traven A, Starešinčić L, Arnerić M, Sopta M The yeast protein Xtc1 functions as a direct transcriptional repressor Nucleic Acids Res 30: 2358-2364 (2002)
5. Traven A, Wong JM, Xu D, Sopta M, Ingles CJ Interorganellar communication: altered nuclear gene expression profiles in a yeast mitochondrial DNA mutant. J Biol
   Chem 276: 4020-4027 (2001)
   

Last updated on 29 January 2009