My lab is interested in the role that acetylcholine and its receptors play in the relationship between host and pathogen. We are particularly interested in the role acetylcholine plays as a cyto-transmitter and its ability to modulate immune responses to pathogenic fungi. Furthermore, there is increasing evidence that both bacterial and fungal pathogens can synthesize acetylcholine and have cholinoceptive properties, which may influence their virulence and relationship with the host. For example, we have recently shown that acetylcholine can modulate the yeast-hyphae transition, biofilm formation and virulence in the opportunistic fungal pathogen Candida albicans.