Fungal

Fungal targets refer to specific cellular components or processes in fungi that are essential for their growth and reproduction, making them key points for therapeutic intervention. Unlike bacteria, fungi are eukaryotic, sharing many cellular structures with humans, which makes developing safe antifungals challenging. Common targets include the fungal cell wall, which is absent in human cells, and ergosterol synthesis, crucial for maintaining fungal cell membrane integrity. Antifungal drugs exploit these differences to combat fungal infections while trying to minimize toxicity to human cells. With the rise of resistant fungal strains and an increase in immunocompromised populations, research is intensifying to identify novel targets and develop more effective antifungal therapies.