Using Protists as a New Treatment Against Chytrid Fungus

SUMMARY: Researchers will explore the use of protists, tiny organisms that are part of the skin’s microbial community, as a potential protection against chytrid infection.

THE PROBLEM: Fungal diseases are a global threat to many animals. In particular, chytrid fungi are a major problem for amphibians. These fungi cause a disease that affect their skin which performs vital functions. Over the last few decades, many amphibians have vanished because of these fungi, and a new chytrid fungus has just emerged. New strategies are needed to protect and restore amphibian populations.

THE PROJECT: The team will study if protists, tiny organisms that are part of the microbiome, protect amphibians against chytrid fungus. The team has three goals:
•    Profile the protist community living on wild amphibians, as well as the bacterial community, and measure the amount of chytrid fungi on the amphibians
•    Look at how bacteria and protists members interact to limit chytrid growth
•    Look at which protist members are able to consume the chytrid fungi and find which protist members could reduce chytrid infection. The team can also pinpoint which protists enhance beneficial bacteria that also aid in disease protection

POTENTIAL IMPACT: If successful, this knowledge could help other teams design new treatments to maintain healthy amphibian populations and prevent further loss of species.