Eli Isael Maciel Maciel

Ph.D

Biology

Pasteur Institut

Research Assitant

Susceptible C. albicans clinical isolates should be readily cleared by antifungals. However, rare drug-resistant cells within the susceptible isolate can compromise treatment leading to persistent infections. This phenomenon is known as heteroresistance, a bet-hedging strategy by which microbial populations increase their likelihoodfor survival and adaptation during drug exposure. Heteroresistant cells are easily missed in populations due to their low frequency (usually <1%). I investigate the mechanisms that underliethe formation of Heteroresistant cells, these cells are important for understanding drug resistance and for the management of fungal infections.