Research and Treatment Implications
- The genome sequencing will provide new insights into Malassezia-related disorders. These conditions range from mild to severe, and include common dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, eczema, pityriasis versicolor, Malassezia folliculitis and atopic dermatitis. Less common dermatologic disorders connected with Malassezia include confluent and reticulated papillomatosis, and transient acantholytic dermatosis. Additionally, Malassezia has been implicated in respiratory conditions, including asthma, some allergies and rhinoconjunctivitis.
- The genome of M. globosa is the first of the Malassezia species to be sequenced. This milestone has significant implications across multiple medical specialties, because Malassezia is present in many skin and allergy disorders, yet to date, little has been known about the genus because research has relied on culture-based technologies.
- Because Malassezia-associated skin diseases are relatively accessible for study, these diseases could become models to study the interaction between host and pathogen.Utilizing the human genome and the M. globosa sequencing, researchers now have the ability to explore this relationship at the molecular level.
- Scientists can now more precisely target treatment for dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis sufferers. In this era of targeted treatments, sequencing of M. globosa means that scientists can work toward improved dandruff treatments for the millions of sufferers worldwide. The genetic sequencing of M. globosa has expanded the range of potential treatment targets from a few observational characteristics to now more than 4,000 molecular targets.
- The genomic sequencing may help scientists reevaluate fungal organism classifications. In evaluating the M. globosa gene sequence, scientists identified genes providing insights into fungal adaptation and evolution of the species. Among these was the identification of genes that signal the ability to mate and reproduce, which has never been observed in Malassezia.
- The genetic sequencing of M. globosa confirmed a direct link to plant pathogens that cause disease on corn, wheat and other important food crops. Researchers indentified characteristics that may have facilitated an ancestral shift from plant to animal host in this species.
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