Studying a New Fungus Affecting Turtles

SUMMARY: Researchers will study a new shell and skin fungus threatening turtles.

THE PROBLEM: Fungal infections are a growing problem in reptiles. Emydomyces testavorans is a recently described fungus that is affecting turtles at an alarming rate. E. testavorans has disrupted conservation activities to help endangered and threatened turtle species. Little is known about how E.testavorans interacts with turtles to result in skin and shell disease, but understanding the fungus DNA sequence could provide clues to treatment and control.

THE PROJECT: The genome is a set of instructions (genes) to make everything that E. testavorans needs to grow and interact with its environment. The team plans to study E. testavorans’ RNA, which is made when a gene is turned on (expressed). Genes will be revealed as the areas where RNA matches the genome. The team will grow E. testavorans in many different conditions relevant to the environment, to the turtle, and to antifungal drug treatment. The team will “trick” E. testavorans into showing which genes are important for construction of its cell wall, a necessary feature to interact with turtles and to keep the fungal cell alive.

POTENTIAL IMPACT: This information will help us to understand how E. testavorans interacts with turtles, and to reveal aspects of the fungus that could be targeted for new diagnostic assays and drugs. These tools will help identify and treat infected turtles and reduce the spread of disease.