Edna S. Kaneshiro Professor Ph.D., Syracuse University Lipid Biochemistry, Physiology,  Protozoology, Cell Biology
Address: Edna Kaneshiro Department of Biological Sciences, ML006 University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, Ohio 45221-0006	Telephone: (513) 556-9712 FAX: (513) 556-5280 Email: Edna.Kaneshiro@UC.Edu

The primary contributions from this lab have been on the lipids of eukaryotic protists, including freeliving, parasitic, and opportunistic pathogens. Although work on a number of different protozoa are being performed, our current focus is on the AIDS-associated opportunistic infection caused by Pneumocystis carinii. This organism causes a type of pneumonia that can lead to the death of immunocompromised individuals. Pneumocystis proliferates extracellularly in the lung alveolus where lipids constitute a major part of lung surfactant. Thus, lipids are thought to be important to the nutrition, physiology and metabolism of the organism. The biosynthesis of pathogen-specific lipids represent potential targets for drug development. We also have an interest in the cell biology and life history of this poorly understood opportunistic infectious agent.