Presentation of the HFP2026

Members of the Organizing Committee

Jessica QUINTIN (Course Organizer & Chairwoman)
Immunology of Fungal Infections Unit, Department of Mycology
Institut Pasteur
25 rue du Dr Roux 75015, Paris, France
Email: jessica.quintin@pasteur.fr

Clarissa NOBILE (Course Organizer & Vice-Chairwoman)
School of Natural Sciences Department of Molecular and Cell Biology
University of California, Merced
5200 North Lake Rd. Merced, CA 95343, USA
Email : cnobile@ucmerced.edu

Agostinho CARVALHO (Course Organizer & Vice-Chairman)
Immunobiology of Inflammatory and Infectious Diseases
Life and Health Sciences Research Institute
School of Medicine, University of Minho
Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
Email: agostinhocarvalho@med.uminho.pt

Members of the International Scientific Advisory Board

Meeting Description

Fungal infections represent a major and growing global health concern, with high mortality rates, increasing numbers of immunocompromised patients, and significant financial burdens on healthcare systems worldwide. 

Fungi infect billions of people worldwide, yet their contribution to the global burden of disease remains largely overlooked. It was only in October 2022 that the World Health Organization (WHO) published its first-ever fungal priority pathogen list, marking a major milestone in recognizing fungal diseases as a critical public health issue. Notably, this landmark list was pre-presented at the HFP2022 meeting, underscoring the course’s pivotal role in driving awareness and shaping global health priorities.

Many fungal pathogens are opportunistic organisms that exist as part of the natural microbiota, such as Candida spp., which colonizes the gut and mucosa, Aspergillus spp., which inhabits lung tissues, and dermatophytes, which reside on the skin, hair, and nails. While some fungal infections result in mild mucocutaneous diseases, millions of patients develop life-threatening invasive infections each year. The mortality rates for systemic fungal infections can exceed 50%, with cases of systemic aspergillosis reaching up to 90% mortality, despite intense antifungal therapy.

This high mortality is largely due to inefficient diagnostics, a limited spectrum of antifungal treatments, and the emergence of drug resistance. In both high-income and resource-limited settings, fungal infections compromise the treatment of cancer patients, intensive-care patients, and individuals with severe immunodeficiencies, including those undergoing organ transplantation or immunosuppressive therapy. Candida spp. is now the fourth leading cause of sepsis in intensive care units, reflecting the severity of these infections and the urgent need for innovative research and training in fungal pathogenesis, host interactions, and antifungal development.

Recent technological advances in molecular biology and genomics have revolutionized the field of fungal pathogenesis research. The sequencing of fungal genomes and the application of CRISPR-based genetic tools have significantly enhanced our ability to dissect fungal virulence traits, host adaptation mechanisms, and resistance pathways. Modern biochemistry and molecular biology approaches, including genome-wide studies, genetic and protein manipulation, and immune response profiling, are now uncovering the fundamental molecular mechanisms that drive fungal infections. These discoveries are critical for developing novel antifungal strategies, improving diagnostics, and informing new therapeutic approaches.

The HFP2026: Molecular Mechanisms of Host-Pathogen Interactions and Virulence In Human Fungal Pathogens directly addresses these urgent issues by providing comprehensive molecular training for researchers at all career stages. This course uniquely integrates fundamental molecular mycology with host-pathogen interactions, antifungal resistance, and immune defense mechanisms, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and equipping early-career scientists with cutting-edge tools to tackle fungal diseases.

The course provides a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach to fungal pathogenesis, integrating state-of-the-art research on molecular mechanisms of virulence, host-pathogen interactions, and cross-kingdom dynamics. With a diverse lineup of leading experts, the program ensures that participants gain in-depth knowledge of cutting-edge topics, including genomics, RNA biology, experimental evolution, immune evasion, and fungal-bacterial interactions. The course structure actively promotes interactive learning, discussions, and networking, providing young scientists with direct exposure to pioneers in the field.

Five plenary sessions and four workshops will be organized that cover the following aspects:

Plenary session 1: Clinical Challenges and Molecular Mechanisms of Fungal Infections and Antifungal Resistance

This session explores the molecular epidemiology of fungal infections and the genetic and biochemical underpinnings of antifungal resistance mechanisms. Discussions will focus on how genomic and molecular surveillance strategies enhance our ability to track and combat fungal infections. The session will also delve into the molecular mechanisms behind fungal adaptation, antifungal resistance evolution, and diagnostic advancements, ensuring a strong molecular perspective on the clinical challenges posed by fungal pathogens. 

Plenary session 2: Molecular Mycology: Next-Generation Insights into Fungal Virulence

This session highlights molecular and cellular mechanisms that drive fungal virulence, focusing on fungal genetics, RNA dynamics, and epigenetics. Discussions will encompass key topics such as genomic plasticity, gene regulation, and molecular adaptation in fungal pathogens. The molecular basis of fungal survival in the host, including drug resistance pathways and gene expression modifications, will also be a focal point. These insights will be essential for identifying new therapeutic targets and understanding host-fungal interactions at the molecular level. 

Plenary session 3: Molecular Mechanisms of Cross-Kingdom Interactions and Their Impact on Pathogenesis

Fungal pathogens interact with bacteria, viruses, and host tissues at the molecular level, influencing their ability to cause disease. This session will explore molecular communication mechanisms in fungal-bacterial interactions, fungal-derived signaling pathways, and the role of mycoviruses in modulating fungal virulence. By dissecting these complex relationships at a biochemical and genetic level, researchers will gain valuable insights into pathogen adaptation, co-infections, and microbial competition, paving the way for novel therapeutic strategies. 

Plenary session 4: Beyond Mycology, Interdisciplinary Approaches to Fungal Research

Fungal pathogenesis is a multifaceted problem requiring molecular and interdisciplinary approaches that transcend traditional mycology. This session brings together diverse perspectives on experimental evolution, host-pathogen molecular modeling, and fungal signaling networks. By integrating evolutionary biology, genomic analyses, and host-pathogen biochemical interactions, these approaches offer fresh insights into fungal adaptation and virulence at a molecular level. The session will demonstrate how cross-disciplinary collaborations can enhance our understanding of fungal infections and their treatment.

Plenary session 5: Molecular Insights into Host-Pathogen Interactions: Fungal Evasion and Immune Defenses

The battle between fungal pathogens and the host immune system is shaped by molecular strategies of immune evasion and host defense. This session will focus on the molecular pathways that fungi exploit to escape immune detection, the host's biochemical responses to fungal invasion, and the impact of fungal surface modifications on immune interactions. Understanding these processes at a molecular level is critical for developing host-directed therapies and novel antifungal immunotherapies.