Leah Cowen


Canada Research Chair in Microbial Genomics and Infectious Disease

Tier 1 - 2017-11-01
Renewed: 2024-11-01
University of Toronto
Canadian Institutes of Health Research

416-978-4085
leah.cowen@utoronto.ca

Research involves


Using advanced molecular genetics and genomic analyses to explore the underlying mechanisms of fungal infections and their increasing drug resistance.

Research relevance


This research will lead to new information to design and develop safe and effective treatments for infectious diseases.

Research summary


Fungi are organisms such as molds, yeasts and mushrooms—and some of them can have a devastating impact on human health. In fact, more than 1.5 million people around the world die from fungal infections every year. Only three major classes of antifungal drugs are available to treat these infections, and the emergence of drug resistance threatens the efficacy of each of them. As Canada Research Chair in Microbial Genomics and Infectious Disease, Dr. Leah Cowen aims to address the urgent need for new treatments for these fungal pathogens.

She and her research team are analyzing essential gene function in key human fungal pathogens and identifying molecules that selectively inhibit essential gene products in these pathogens. Ultimately, Cowen and her team hope to develop genetic resources and datasets that will transform the fundamental understanding of fungal pathogenesis and support the development of much-needed antifungal drugs.