The mechanisms of genetic diversification in Candida albicans
Tuesday, July 10, 2018 - 05:41
in Biology & Nature
Candida albicans is one of the most formidable fungal species infecting humans. Investigating the structure and reproduction methods of pathogenic populations can reveal how they emerge and spread. A team of scientists has sequenced and analyzed the genomes of 182 strains of C. albicans from around the world. They confirmed the clonal reproduction of this C. albicans, and also showed that parasexual reproduction, previously only observed in a laboratory setting, contributes to its genetic diversity, and therefore also to its ability to adapt to new environments and rid itself of deleterious mutations.