LMPH has specialized in the in vitro and in vivo evaluation of antifungal compounds. Actually, four panels of fungal organisms are addressed:

1.      The primary and secondary panels include the dermatophytes Trichophyton and Microsporum, different species of Candida (C.albicans, C.glabrata, C.parapsilosis) and Aspergillus fumigatus as representative of the filamentous moulds,

2.      The tertiary panel includes a number of other Aspergillus species, such as A.niger, A.nidulans and A.terreus.

3.      The quaternary panel contains several Zygomycete and Fusarium species, representing the emerging invasive pathogenic moulds.

To assess non-specific toxicity, all compounds are also evaluated for cytotoxicity on a human cell line (MRC-5). Compounds with adequate in vitro selectivity and antifungal potency can be evaluated in matching in vivo models.

contact : kelly.dewit@ua.ac.be , caroline.paulussen@ua.ac.be