Theme I: Fungal growth, adaptation and morphogenesis in the context of human infections, and implications for immunity, disease phenotypes and therapy.

Harnessing the considerable scientific advances we made in the first five years, we are focusing this theme on defining key components and mechanisms underpinning fungal pathogenesis, and our understanding of how they impact the host and drug susceptibility. Key topics will include the fungal cell surface (as the primary interface with the host immune system, and target of antifungal drugs), fungal responses, growth and morphological transitions (in the context of virulence, tissue invasion and antifungal resistance) and environmental, nutrient and stress sensing and adaptation, including inter-kingdom/species communication (as crucial parameters facilitating fungal virulence, immune evasion, and drug resistance).