Dr. Cihlar is Professor of Microbiology & Immunology

Summary:

• Ph.D., University of Massachusetts, 1978
• At Georgetown Since: 1981
• The lab may consider accepting new Ph.D. students or Post Doctoral Fellows. Please inquire with Dr. Cihlar if you have any further questions.
• Contact: cihlarr@georgetown.edu, (202) 687-1136

Details:

My laboratory is examining questions pertaining to both the pathogenesis and basic biology of the fungus, Candida albicans. In particular, we are:

1. Investigating genes that may prove to be appropriate targets useful in the  development of new antifungal agents. Work entails gene isolation and target validation through gene knockout studies, as well as assay design and drug screening.   Drug screening as evolved to primarily testing natural product extracts.
2. Comparing patterns of gene expression in in vivo models of candidiasis to those exhibited during in vitro growth. Genes that are differentially expressed in vivo vs. in vitro are being systematically studied to determine their potential role in pathogenesis. The investigations are currently supported by the NCI and NICDR, respectively.
3. Studying the effects on nitric oxide generating compounds on fungal physiology. This work is supported through industry contract.

Publications:

Krom, B.P., G.E McElhaney-Feser, and R.L. Cihlar.  2006. Optimized candidal biofilm microtiter assay.  J. Microbiol. Methods.  (In press)

Domenico, P., C.B. Cunha D. Vaysaman, B.P. Krom and R.L. Cihlar  2005. Antimicrobial activity of novel antimcirobial agents: pyrithione enhanced Antimicrobial activity of Bismuth. Antibiot. Clin. 9:291-297.

Krueger KE, Ghosh AK, Krom BP, Cihlar RL. Deletion of the NOT4 gene impairs hyphal development and pathogenicity in Candida albicans.
Microbiology. 2004 Jan;150(Pt 1):229-40.

Laakso JA, Raulli R, McElhaney-Feser GE, Actor P, Underiner TL, Hotovec BJ, Mocek U, Cihlar RL, Broedel SE Jr. CT2108A and B: New fatty acid synthase inhibitors as antifungal agents.J Nat Prod. 2003 Aug;66(8):1041-6.

Zhang Z, ElSohly HN, Li XC, Khan SI, Broedel SE Jr, Raulli RE, Cihlar RL, Burandt C, Walker LA. Phenolic compounds from Nymphaea odorata. J Nat Prod. 2003 Apr;66(4):548-50.

Zhang Z, ElSohly HN, Li XC, Khan SI, Broedel SE Jr, Raulli RE, Cihlar RL, Walker LA. Flavanone glycosides from Miconia trailii. J Nat Prod. 2003 Jan;66(1):39-41.

Li XC, Joshi AS, ElSohly HN, Khan SI, Jacob MR, Zhang Z, Khan IA, Ferreira D, Walker LA, Broedel SE Jr, Raulli RE, Cihlar RL. Fatty acid synthase inhibitors from plants: isolation, structure elucidation, and SAR studies. J Nat Prod. 2002 Dec;65(12):1909-14.

Medline publications list