Deadly fungus threatens salamanders

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About the research

The fire salamander is critically endangered. The culprit? A deadly fungus that attaches itself to the salamanders’ skin, infects their bodies and eats the creatures alive. In the Netherlands, the species has already all but disappeared, and the fungus is now also appearing in Belgium.

At the Wildlife Health Expertise Centre at Ghent University, bioengineer Ruth Verhamme is researching the fungus, in the hope of finding ways to protect the salamanders. And you too can help to curb the spread of the fungus, as Ruth explains.

Environment
Ruth Verhamme
UGent

How does a harmful microbe take hold of its host? This question fuels Ruth’s work. As a bioengineer and postdoctoral researcher, Ruth uses the tools of molecular biology to uncover the hidden world of infections. Her current research takes a closer look at the interaction between a deadly fungus and European salamanders, aiming to understand the molecular secrets that allow this infection to develop and find ways to protect these animals.

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