Cryptococcus neoformans Methods and Protocols

This volume explores the latest developments in the study of Cryptococcus neoformans and its pathology, along with discussion on newly used therapeutics. The chapters in this book cover a wide range of protocols commonly used in Cryptococcus research such as animal models, genetics techniques, virulence factor phenotyping, and microscopy. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls.

Cutting-edge and thorough, Cryptococcus neoformans: Methods and Protocols is a valuable resource that will help researchers further enhance their understanding of this pathogenic yeast, and will aid in new discoveries and therapeutics.

A Galleria Model of Cryptococcus neoformans Infection.-  The Rabbit Model of Cryptococcal Meningitis.- Models for Inducing Experimental Cryptococcosis in Mice.- In Vivo Modeling of Cryptococcus neoformans Infection and Collection of Murine Samples.- Biolistic Transformation of Cryptococcus neoformans.- Genetic Transformation of Cryptococcus Species with Agrobacterium Transfer DNA.- Gene Silencing via RNA Interference in Cryptococcus.- Cryptococcus neoformans Transcriptome Analysis to Identify Differentially Expressed Genes Using the STAR Pipeline in CyVerse Discovery Environment.- Proteomic Profiling of Samples Derived from a Murine Model Following Cryptococcus neoformans Infection.- Electron Microscopy of Cryptococcus neoformans: Processing Challenges to Avoid Artifacts Glauber R. de S. Araújo, Bruno Pontes, and Susana Frases.- Assessing Phagocytosis of Cryptococcus neoformans Cells in Human Monocytes or the J774 Murine Macrophage Cell Line.- Interaction Between Macrophages and Cryptococcus neoformans: Distinguishing Phagocytosed Versus External Fungi.-  Detection and Quantification of Cryptococcus Uptake by Phagocytic Cells Using Imaging Flow Cytometry.- Two Methods of Measuring Cryptococcus neoformans Fungal Burden in Macrophages.- Quantification of C. neoformans Capsule Diameter.- Methods of Cryptococcal Polysaccharide Analysis Using ELISA.- Measuring Laccase Activity and Melanin Production in Cryptococcus neoformans.- Measuring Urease and Phospholipase Secretion in Cryptococcus neoformans.- Measuring Stress Phenotypes in Cryptococcus neoformans.- Antibody Isolation in C. neoformans.- Fluorescence and Biochemical Assessment of the Chitin and Chitosan Content of Cryptococcus.- Induction of Dormancy in Cryptococcus neoformans In Vitro: The HypNOS Protocol.- Analysis of Cryptococcus Extracellular Vesicles.- Preparation of Biologically Active Fractions Enriched with Glucuronoxylomannan, the Main Antigen of the Cryptococcal Capsule.- Measuring Replicative Lifespan in Cryptococcus neoformans.- In Vitro Titan Cell Generation in Cryptococcus neoformans and Automated Cell Size Measurements.- Chitosan-Deficient Cryptococcus as Whole-Cell Vaccines.-  Vaccine Strategies for Cryptococcus neoformans.