The Tobias Hohl Lab
Research
The focus of my research program is to decipher the molecular and cellular basis of immunity against Candida and Aspergillus species, major causative agents of invasive mycoses in patients with cancer. We have developed fluorescence-based reporters of fungal physiology to examine the outcome of fungal cell-host cell interactions with single-encounter resolution at the portal of infection. Fluorescent Aspergillus reporter (FLARE) conidia (i.e., vegetative spores, the infectious fungal propagule) change their fluorescence properties when phagocytes inactivate fungal cells at the portal of infection (Figure 1). Using this bioreporter, we quantify host leukocytes on the basis of fungal cell uptake and killing of internalized conidia.
This technique enables us to examine leukocyte effectors implicated in fungal uptake and killing, identify and functionally characterize the antifungal activities of neutrophils, monocytes, plasmacytoid dendritic cells, and epithelial cells, and to analyze fungal genetic circuits implicated in pathogenesis. A major goal of this research is to develop an integrated model of sterilizing barrier immunity against inhaled mold pathogens.
Featured News
People
Tobias M. Hohl, MD, PhD
Attending Physician; Member; Chief, Infectious Diseases and Allergy Service
- Physician-scientist Tobias Hohl studies the molecular pathogenesis of human fungal pathogens and how the immune system responds to them.
- MD, Weill Medical College of Cornell University
- PhD, Weill Graduate School of Medical Sciences of Cornell University
- [email protected]
- Email Address
- View physician profile
- Physician profile
Members
Achievements
- Fellow, American Academy of Microbiology (2021)
- Member, American Society of Clinical Investigation (2016)
- Investigator in the Pathogenesis of Infectious Diseases, Burrroughs Wellcome Fund (2014)
- Fellow, Infectious Diseases Society of America (2012)
- Young Investigator Award, American Society of Microbiology (2009)
