About the lab About our research Most recent (1999) publications Szaniszlo Lab FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) What is Wangiella dermatitidis? What is Phaeohyphomycosis? Help!  I'm not a scientist! Can you translate any of this for me? How do I get around this site? How do I contact the Szaniszlo Lab?

About the lab:
     The Szaniszlo Laboratory is a research laboratory located on the first floor of the Experimental Science Building (ESB 109) at the University of Texas at Austin.   The lab is part of the Section of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology and is headed by Dr. Paul J. Szaniszlo.  The personnel in the lab consist of Dr. Szaniszlo, 2 post-docs,  4 graduate students, as well as some  lab assistants.  Click on "People" to learn more about them.

About our research:
     The Szaniszlo Lab's research is primarily in the elucidation of the mechanisms of fungal cell development, specifically that of the fungus, Wangiella dermatitidis (Wd).  Wangiella is used as a model to identify cell-wall virulence factors among dematiaceous (melanized) fungal pathogen of humans.  Specific emphasis is placed on the cell-wall because it is a boundary between host and pathogen, an ultimate determinant of morphology, known to represent a virulence factor, and is a potential target for the design of antifungal drugs.  Particular focus is on the systems leading to chitin localization and melanin enrichments of cell walls in the polarized and nonpolarized vegetative phenotypes known to be expressed by this polymorphic fungus under conditions of human infection.

Thus, the lab's current research is designed to provide insights about how the four chitin synthase (WdCHS) structural genes of Wangiella contribute to its pathogenicity and virulence. The specific aims of the laboratory are

1. To study the WdCHS genes, establish how their expression is regulated, and identify factors that control the time, place and function of their products, with a focus on the mechanisms involved in the very high expression of WdCHS3 at 37°C and under other conditions that influence growth, development and differentiation during infections;
2. To establish the individual and collective importance of the four WdChs isozymes and their chitin products to yeast, isotropic and hyphal growth, and their contributions, if any, to pathogenicity and virulence as augmented by melanin and periods of isotropic enlargement, and with a focus on the potential for WdChs3p to be a particularly vulnerable antifungal target
3. To continue to extend the concepts revealed with this model phaeohyphomycotic fungus to a limited number of other dematiaceous pathogens of humans

What is Wangiella dermatitidis?
     Wangiella dermatitidis, also often called Exophiala dermatitidis,  is a dematiaceous fungus known for causing a variety of infections known collectively as "phaeohyphomycosis".   It is a monotypic species in the form-phylum Fungi Imperfecti (Deuteromycetes).  What distinguishes it as a dematiaceous fungus is the black pigment seen in the cell walls of all its yeast cells, hyphae, multicellular forms, and spores. Wangiella is also a polymorphic organism, taking on a variety of cell types, which include the typical budding yeast cell, isodiametric cell, moniliforme hyphae, true hyphae, and conidia.  It grows as a yeast in rich liquid medium, but has been shown to convert to other forms by modifying growth conditions.

     Wangiella is readily found in the environment worldwide, particularly in soil.  Although ubiquitous, it does not seem to be a major cause of mycoses (fungal disease).

What is phaeohyphomycosis?

Phaeohyphomycosis is a term that was created in 1974 to include several  infections that  are caused by many but not all mycotic diseases caused by black fungi.    Phaeohyphomycosis can be superficial (on the surface of the skin, hair, or nails), cutaneous (involving the skin immediately below the outer epidermis), subcutaneous (involving fatty tissue, connective tissue, or muscle tissue), or systemic (involving the circulatory and/or lymphatic system).  The more serious life-threatening, systemic phaeohyphomycoses, mostly occurs with immunosuppressed individuals.  Although phaeohyphomycosis traditionally has been most associated with dermotrophic forms of disease, emerging systemic forms are being detected in increasing number.  For example, predisposing factors for systemic infections with W. dermatitidis include cystic fibrosis, lymphocytic leukemia, diabetes mellitus, bronchiectasis, rheumatoid arthritis and catherization. For more information on the clinical aspect of this topic, see Matsumoto, T., Matsuda, T., McGinnis, M.R., and Ajello, L.  1992.  Clinical and mycological spectra of Wangiella dermatitidis infections.  Mycoses 36: 145-155.

Ungual phaeohyphomycosis (L), Cutaneous phaeohyphomycosis (R). courtesy of Dr. Tadahiko Matsumoto, Dept. of Dermatology, Toshiba Hospital, 6-3-22 Higashi-oi, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 140, Japan

Help! I'm not a scientist!  Can you translate any of this for me?
        Wangiella dermatitidis, the subject of this lab's research is a black (melanized) fungus.   Fungi (the plural of fungus) are a kingdom of organisms that include your garden variety mushroom  (Agaricus brunnescens), baker's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae),  the causative agents of athlete's foot (E. floccosum, T. mentagrophytes, and T. rubrum), the cause of yeast infections (Candida albicans),  the mold you might see growing on your bread or cheese (Rhizopus stolnifer), or the mold (Penicillium notatum) that produces the medicine used to combat an infection.   Most people are unaware of all the roles(both positive and negative)  that fungi play in our lives. 

Wangiella has been known to cause disease that can exhibit a wide variety of symptoms.  Although it can certainly be life-threatening, that in itself is not the only reason for researching this organism.  Fungi have many common attributes with "higher" life forms.   Many biochemical and molecular properties of cell growth and regulation are similar.  Thus, fungi like Wangiella can be used as models to investigate fungi and other life forms that are not as easily studied at biochemical and molecular levels.

Wangiella has been demonstrated to be a paradigm for mycotic infections caused by black fungi.  This means that it alone elicits all the broad varieties of disease manifestations in humans which are characteristic of those presented by any other melanized fungus..  Understanding the mechanisms that control the growth of these fungi will provide insights into their pathogenicity and virulence and may lead to improved treatments.

How do I get around this site?
   The Szaniszlo Lab website is navigable by clicking on one of the text selections on the black region to the left of the page.  You will notice that the selections will highlight when you move the cursor over them.  With your mouse pointer over the selection, click on the text to jump to that page.  The choices are Introduction, People, Publications, Protocols, Images, Courses, Links, and Search.  If your browser is having trouble with the selections on the left, you can still make your selections using the same text selections at the bottom of every page.  You can return to the Szaniszlo Lab's main page at any time by clicking on "the Szaniszlo Lab"  at the top right hand corner of any page.

How do I contact the Szaniszlo Lab
   You can contact the Szaniszlo Lab in three ways.  You can send us a snail-mail, an e-mail, or call the lab: