Abstract 1678 Cdc14 Targeted Antifungal Drug Discovery

Pathogenic fungi are a serious global health concern, claiming an estimated 3.8 million lives annually. Of these, Candida and Aspergillus species are responsible for two-thirds of all deaths. New antifungal therapeutics and targets are needed to address this problem. The Cdc14 phosphatase family has been proposed as an attractive target for new antifungal drug design. Cdc14 is required for Candida albicans virulence in a mouse model of invasive candidiasis, whereas mammal Cdc14 orthologs appear dispensable for post-natal growth and development.