New and Improved Techniques for the Study of Pathogenic Fungi

Fungal pathogens pose serious threats to human, plant, and ecosystem health. Improved diagnostics and antifungal strategies are therefore urgently required. Here, we review recent developments in online bioinformatic tools and associated interactive data archives, which enable sophisticated comparative genomics and functional analysis of fungal pathogens in silico. Additionally, we highlight cutting-edge experimental techniques, including conditional expression systems, recyclable markers, RNA interference, genome editing, compound screens, infection models, and robotic automation, which are promising to revolutionize the study of both human and plant pathogenic fungi. These novel techniques will allow vital knowledge gaps to be addressed with regard to the evolution of virulence, host–pathogen interactions and antifungal drug therapies in both the clinic and agriculture. This, in turn, will enable delivery of improved diagnosis and durable disease-control strategies.

TrendsNew online bioinformatic portals enable novel analysis of host–pathogen interactions, antifungal drug interactions, functional annotation of ‘omics data and comparative genomics in silico.Molecular tools, including inducible promoters, recyclable markers and genome-editing, facilitate more sophisticated functional genomic analysis.Recent use of compound library screens, heterologous expression systems, and experimental pipeline automation offer the promise of ultrahigh throughput evaluation of antifungal drugs and cognate targets.There is an unprecedented opportunity to understand fundamental aspects of pathogen biology, enabling development of improved diagnostics and antifungal therapy in the clinic, agriculture, and natural ecosystems.