Basic Mechanisms and Translational Implications

Fungal diseases are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in healthy and immune-compromised individuals. A finely tuned immune response is critical, since either insufficient or exaggerated responses undermine the host's ability to eradicate fungal infection. Major strides have been made in understanding the innate and adaptive components underlying protective and non-protective mechanisms of immunity. Newfound recognition of the immunological roles of nutrient limitation, abiotic stress, non-hematopoietic cells, co-evolution of fungal-host interactions, and trafficking of intracellular cargo in phagocytes has lead to novel insights about mechanisms that restrain fungi or that cause immunopathology. Recent work demonstrates that the host microbiota shapes the immune system and modulate its interactions with fungi. These discoveries allow a better understanding of the factors that regulate disease susceptibility, including genetic variation of immune-response genes, and provide a basis for strategies involving immunotherapy and vaccination. This conference will bring together the world's leading researchers investigating antifungal immunity, in a setting ideal for promoting cross-disciplinary discussions and collaborations. This will provide a compelling and informative meeting covering the latest advances in the field and the most pressing issues to be tackled.