John R. Perfect, MD

Related Content

Services

• Infectious Diseases

Interim Chief

Department / Division:
Medicine / Infectious Diseases and International Health

Address:
DUMC 3353
Durham, NC 27710

Appointment Telephone:
919-668-7630

Fax Telephone:
919-479-2948

• MD, Medical College of Ohio (University of Toledo College of Medicine), 1974

• Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, 1975-1977
• Infectious Diseases, Duke University Medical Center, 1977-1980

Clinical Interests:
Fungal infections

Research Interests:
Research in my laboratory focuses around several aspects of medical mycology.  We are investigating antifungal agents (new and old) in animal models of candida and cryptococcal infections.  We have examined clinical correlation of in vitro antifungal susceptibility testing and with in vivo outcome.  Our basic science project examines the molecular pathogenesis of cryptococcal infections.  We have developed a molecular foundation for C. neoformans, including transformation systems, gene disruptions, differential gene expression screens, and cloning pathogenesis genes.  The goal of this work is to use C. neoformans as a model yeast system to identify molecular targets for antifungal drug development.  There are a series of clinical trials in fungal infections which are being coordinated through this laboratory and my work also includes a series of antibiotic trials in various aspects of infections.  Finally, we have now been awarded a NIH sponsored Mycology Unit for 5 years with 6 senior investigators which is focused on C. neoformans as a pathogenic model system, but will include multiple areas of medical mycology from diagnosis to treatment.

Representative Publications:
Wills EA, Roberts IS, Del Poeta M, Cox GM, Rivera J, Casadevall A, Perfect JR. Identification and characterization of the Cryptococcus neoformans phosphomannose isomerase-encoding gene, MAN1, and its impact on pathogenicity. Mol. Microbiol. 40:1-13, 2001. (2001)

Stephens CE, Tanious F, Wilson DW, Schell WA, Perfect JR, Fransblau SG, Boykin DW. Diguanidino and "reversed" diamidino 2,5-diarylfurans as antimicrobial agents. J. Med. Chem. 44:1741-1748, 2001. (2001)

Luberto C, Toffaletti DL, Wills EA, Tucker S, Casadevall A, Perfect JR, Hannun YA, Del Poeta M. Roles for inositol-phosphoryl ceramide 1 (IPC1) in pathogenesis of Cryptococcus neoformans. Genes and Dev. 15:201-212, 2001. (2001)

D'Souza C, Alspaugh JA, Yue C, Cox GM, Perfect JR, Heitman J. cAMP dependent protein kinase controls virulence of the fungal pathogen, Cryptococcus neoformans. Mol. Cell. Biol.21:3179-3191, 2001. (2001)

Cox GM, Durack DT, Perfect JR. Fungal infections and the central nervous system (ed MJ Aminoff). Neurology and General Medicine, 3rd ed., pp 789-807, 2001. (2001)