Professor Amy Karlsson’s research group uses the tools of protein and peptide engineering to study pathogenic microorganisms, particularly fungal pathogens, with a goal of improving diagnosis and treatment. The group's current work is primarily focused on studying the most prevalent fungal pathogen in humans, Candida albicans. Members use both rational design and directed evolution to engineer proteins and peptides, including antibody fragments and antimicrobial peptides, that can be used in antifungal drug target validation, detection and identification of fungal pathogens, and improved specificity of antifungal agents. The group's experimental tools include molecular biology techniques, microscopy, and protein chromatography.

Amy J. Karlsson Associate Professor 301-405-2610 | ajkarl@umd.edu Profile