MSc Microbiology and Infection Masterclass- 20 April 2026

There are millions of species of fungi worldwide, the vast majority of which are completely harmless to humans. However, a small number have evolved the ability to infect humans and, in some cases, cause life-threatening infections. One such group belong to the genus Cryptococcus. These yeast-like fungi are widespread in the environment but in the right circumstances can establish and infection in the human lung which then migrates to the brain, resulting in death. To do this, the fungus engages in a remarkable act of immune trickery – instead of being killed by our white blood cells, it actively grows within them and then hijacks specific immune cells to help transport them around the body. In this talk, we’ll explore this remarkable relationship, how it might have evolved and, importantly, how we may ultimately be able to harness this knowledge to help treat this devastating disease.