Prof. Dr. Salomé LeibundGut-Landmann

Area of Research

Description of Research Interest

The LeibundGut Laboratory investigates the interactions between host and microbes in the skin and mucosal tissues. We are interested in understanding the mutual interactions between commensal organisms and the immune system that underlie tissue homeostasis. These interactions can become pathological when the host's defences are compromised (infections) or when the immune system is dysregulated (immunopathology, allergy). Our main focus is on fungi such as Candida and Malassezia, which are abundant in normal cutaneous and mucosal microbiomes, but are also responsible for more than 1 million deaths worldwide each year and are involved in some of the most common skin allergies (e.g. eczema). Understanding both host and fungal determinants that shape the nature and outcome of fungus-host interactions will open new avenues for host- and/or microbe-directed strategies to restore of tissue homeostasis, treat fungal infections and overcome the growing threat of antifungal resistance.

Special Expertise

Host-microbe interactions
Microbiota / Mycobiota
Fungal commensals, fungal pathogens
T cell immunology, IL-17 biology,  keratinocytes
Pathogenicity mechanisms
Tissue homeostasis
Mouse models (mucosal and cutaneous infection models)
 

Member of Collaborative/interdisciplinary Research Consortia

https://www.skintegrity.ch/
https://www.exeter.ac.uk/research/medicalmycology/