By Kent Ratajeski
Dave Moecher, a professor in the University of Kentucky Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, recently returned from Ireland, where he spent five months studying the erosion of the Appalachian Mountains and exploring the culture and history of the Emerald Isle.
Transition metals such as Fe, Cu, and Zn are micronutrients that have critical roles at the host-pathogen interface as both the host and pathogen need them for survival. The host has developed innate immune strategies to sequester metals such as Fe which pathogens need for survival as well as strategies to secrete certain metals such as Cu to exert toxic effects on the pathogen. In return, pathogens have evolved strategies to scavenge metals they need, as well as export or store excess metal. Candida albicans, is an opportunistic fungal pathogen that has the capacity to cause systemic infections that can lead to death in immunocompromised and immunosuppressed populations. Azoles, such as fluconazole, are one of the four classes of antifungals that are FDA approved and are a first line treatment for C. albicans infections. Our lab has shown significant changes to metallohomeostasis of C. albicans as a result of fluconazole treatment. In this talk, I will discuss our work to determine how C. albicans overcomes azole treatment by modifying Cu homeostasis pathways. I will also discuss a potential strategy that focuses on metal dyshomeostasis and takes advantage of our innate immune system to develop a possible treatment for C. albicans infections.
See all the photos here.
By Lindsey Piercy
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 26, 2022) — Keaton Upshaw, a senior tight end for the Kentucky Wildcats, understands the demand of one of football’s true hybrid positions.
Running routes and catching passes on one play, then blocking a linebacker the next, means taking extra steps in practice to be prepared. It means sometimes going the extra yard.
On the gridiron, Upshaw has coaches to guide him. But off the field, he also has someone who is encouraging him to do more, learn more and be more.
By Nizhoni McDarment
LEXINGTON, Ky. -- The University of Kentucky’s Delta Chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha, the National Political Science Honors Society, recently received a Best Chapter Award for the 2021-22 school year.
The UK chapter was one of six institutions, similar in size, to receive this award out of more than 800 Pi Sigma Alpha Chapters in the United States.
By Richard LeComte
LEXINGTON, Ky – As Black women gained economic status in the United States, one of the big issues that arose involved what their daughters’ toys would look like. It’s an issue Aria S. Halliday finds fascinating.
By Richard LeComte
LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Nolia Williams spent her summer mixing her psychology and journalism majors in western Kentucky, where she got to talk to people affected by the ravages of environmental disasters.
Dear Alumni and Friends,
It has been an engaging and productive fall semester in the College of Arts and Sciences (A&S) and at the University of Kentucky (UK). We started the semester strong by welcoming almost 1,700 new first-year undergraduate students into our A&S family as part of UK’s largest incoming class of 6,100 students. The semester ended with our December Commencement, where we celebrated over 400 undergraduate and graduate students completing their degrees
