Characterisation of fungal cell wall architecture using solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy at fast spinning regime

The candidiasis disease is one of the more severe fungal infections with particularly high mortality amongst immunocompromised patients. It is caused by the opportunistic fungus Candida albicans (C.albicans) that is quite resistant to common antifungal medicines. The cell wall of C.albicans has a key role for protection and interaction of fungus, making it a promising target for new antifungals. However, the structural organization at atomic level for the intact C. albicans cell walls remains understudied. Here we are proposing a project, which will focus on the cell wall molecular organization studies at atomic level for the intact C. albicans fungus using non-destructive solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (ssNMR) spectroscopy. We will elucidate the intact C.albicans cell walls by exploiting modern 1H and 19F detected ssNMR technologies at fast magic angle spinning regime. During this interdisciplinary project we plan to improve the selective 1H, 13C, 15N labeling schemes and create a novel biochemical 19F incorporation in the C.albicans cell walls. In combination with development of new 1H and 19F detected ssNMR techniques, we will elucidate the structures of main polysaccharides, lipids and proteins, allowing to decipher the supramolecular arrangements. The anticipated findings in this research project will provide a precise structural model of the intact C.albicans cell walls, paving a way for discoveries of new antifungals.