A chytrid fungus nanobody toolkit and genetic transformation approaches
Chytrid fungal infections are responsible for the extinction of over 90 frog species. In 1998, Australian researchers identified the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) as the causative agent for chytridiomycosis, a deadly skin disease affecting frog populations globally. Despite Bd being one of the most lethal wildlife pathogens identified, there are very few mitigation strategies to stop infection. This project aims to provide functional validation of chytrid proteins critical in infection. We will generate nanobodies for chytrid effectors and chytrid adhesins and examine their functional importance using reverse genetics techniques and nanobody-based inhibitors.