Kuchler
Developmental Biology & Disease Mechanisms | Genetics, Epigenetics & Gene Regulation | Immunology & Pathogens
Host-Pathogen Interactions & Mechanisms of Drug Resistance & Fungal Pathogenesis

Karl Kuchler
Group Leader
karl.kuchler [AT] meduniwien.ac [DOT] at
Phone: +43-1-4277-61807
Dr. Bohr-Gasse 9, 1030 Vienna | Room: 2.111
Research

We study the molecular mechanisms of fungal pathogenicity and fundamental problems in infection biology, using a combination of molecular, as well as genome-wide and systems biology approaches.
First, we use reverse genetics approaches to identify virulence and antifungal drug resistance genes in the most prevalent human fungal pathogens such as Candida glabrata and C. albicans. For instance, we have generated a genome-scale gene deletion collection of
...moreWe study the molecular mechanisms of fungal pathogenicity and fundamental problems in infection biology, using a combination of molecular, as well as genome-wide and systems biology approaches.
First, we use reverse genetics approaches to identify virulence and antifungal drug resistance genes in the most prevalent human fungal pathogens such as Candida glabrata and C. albicans. For instance, we have generated a genome-scale gene deletion collection of C. glabrata currently comprising some 700 single gene deletions. Further, we decipher the role of histone modification genes in morphogenetic switching, cell fate determination and virulence.
We would like to define the genetic networks and signaling pathways facilitating immune evasion and driving invasion of host cells. We also study the genomic and genetic adaptations occurring in pathogen genomes during host niche or organ colonization and systemic dissemination.
On the host side, we are studying the mechanisms of host-pathogen interaction and cytokine signaling response in primary dendritic cells / macrophages, as well as in mouse infection models, to define their contribution to virulence. Along this line, we delineate the interplay of adaptive and innate immunity in immune surveillance, and, particularly the role of Tec kinases and type I interferons in virulence and dissemination in host tissues and organs.
Finally, we study structure-function relationships of fungal ABC multidrug transporters, and we pursue systems biology approaches to answer how the molecular cross-talk of stress response signaling pathways impact cellular growth control and ion homeostasis in simple model organisms such as baker’s yeast.
Team
Angela Bienert
Administration
Email: angela.bienert@univie.ac.at
Telephone: +43-1-4277-61811
Room: 2.107

Christa Gregori-Schüller
Administration
Email: christa.gregori@meduniwien.ac.at
Telephone: +43-1-4277-61806
Room: 2.111
Sabrina Jenull
PhD Student
Email: sabrina.jenull@univie.ac.at
Telephone: +43-1-4277-61818
Room: 2.509
Narakorn Khunweeraphong
PostDoc
Email: narakorn.khunweeraphong@univie.ac.at
Telephone: +43-1-4277-61818
Room: 2.509

Cornelia Klein
Administration
Email: cornelia.klein@meduniwien.ac.at
Telephone: +43-1-4277-61806
Room: 2.111
Theresia Mair
Diploma/Master Student
Email: a01448545@unet.univie.ac.at
Telephone: +43-1-4277-61818
Room: 2.509

Filomena Nogueira
Visiting Scientist
Email: filomena.nogueira@univie.ac.at
Telephone: +43-1-4277-61817
Room: 2.505


Andriy Petryshyn
Technician
Email: andriy.petryshyn@univie.ac.at
Telephone: +43-1-4277-61812
Room: 2.107
Michael Riedelberger
PhD Student
Email: michael.riedelberger@univie.ac.at
Telephone: +43-1-4277-61812
Room: 2.107

Shirin Sharghi
Diploma/Master Student
Email: a01548168@unet.univie.ac.at
Telephone: +43-1-4277-24001
Room: 2.505
Raju Shivarathri
PhD Student
Email: raju.shivarathri@univie.ac.at
Telephone: +43-1-4277-61818
Room: 2.509

Michael Tscherner
PostDoc
Email: michael.tscherner@univie.ac.at
Telephone: +43-1-4277-61818
Room: 2.509

Florian Zwolanek
PostDoc
Email: florian.zwolanek@meduniwien.ac.at
Telephone: +43-1-4277-61818
Room: 2.107
Publications
Hnisz, Denes; Bardet, A.; Nobile, C.; Schoeck, U; Petryshin, A; Glaser, W; Stark, A; Kuchler, Karl (2012). Histone deacetylation at coding sequences adjusts transcription kinetics during Candida albicans morphogenesis. PLOS GENET(12). PMID: 23236295
Majer, O., Bourgeois, C., F. Zwolanek, M. Mack, C. Lassing, D. Kerjaschki, M. Müller & K. Kuchler (2012). Type I interferon signaling promotes fatal immunopathology through the recruitment of inflammatory monocytes and neutrophils. PLOS PATHOG;8(7):e1002811. PMID: 22911155
Tierney, L., J. Linde, S. Müller, S. Brunke, B. Hube, R. Guthke, K. Kuchler (2012). Parallel RNA-seq reveals novel interspecies gene regulatory networks of C. albicans invading innate immune cells. Front Microbiol;3(85). PMID: 22416242
Collaborations & Funding

FWF Special Research Area SFB35 Transmembrane Transporters in Health and Disease
The Group Kuchler participates in the special research area supported by the Austrian Research Fund FWF: SFB35

FWF DACH
The group Kuchler is supported by a joint FWF-DFG grant "DACH" Microevolution of Pathogenic Yeasts in collaboration with Bernhard Hube from the HKI Jena.

FWF
The group Kuchler is supported by the FWF Project P25333 "Chromatin Modifications in Fungal Virulence and Pathogenesis"

FP7 MC-ITN "ImResFun"
The group Kuchler coordinates the FP7 Marie Curie ITN "Molecular Mechanisms of Fungal Pathogen Host Interactions" (ImResFun). Duration: October 1, 2013 - September 30, 2017.

FUNGITECT
The Group Kuchler is consortium member of the FP7 funded collaborative project FUNGITECT coordinated by the CCRI Thomas Lion (St. Anna Kinderkrebsforschung). Duration: February 1, 2014 - January 31, 2018.