James Andrew Alspaugh II

James Andrew Alspaugh II
Professor of Medicine

The focus of my research is to understand the ways in which microorganisms sense and respond to changes in their environment. As microbial pathogens enter the infected host, dramatic genetic and phenotypic events occur that allow these organisms to survive in this harsh environment. We study the model fungal organism Cryptococcus neoformans to define signal transduction pathways associated with systemic fungal diseases. This pathogenic fungus causes lethal infections of the central nervous system in patients with AIDS and other immunological disorders. In addition to being an important pathogen, C. neoformans displays well-characterized and inducible virulence determinants. It is an outstanding system for dissecting the signaling pathways associated with pathogenicity.

The main techniques used in the lab are those of molecular genetics. We are able to readily mutate C. neoformans genes by homologous recombination. Mutant strains with disruptions in targeted genes are then evaluated in vitro for various phenotypes including altered expression of polysaccharide capsule and melanin. The effects of gene disruption on pathogenicity are also evaluated in animal models of cryptococcal disease. Using these techniques, we have identified a novel G-alpha protein/cAMP-dependent signaling pathway associated with mating and pathogenicity.

This research is complemented by the other investigators in the Duke University Mycology Research Unit. The members of this research community are pursuing studies in fungal pathogenesis, identifying novel antifungal drug targets, and studying the ecology of several medically important fungi.

Keywords: Microbial Pathogenesis
Cryptococcus neoformans
Signal transduction
Fungal mating
G proteins

Current Appointments & Affiliations

Professor of Medicine, Medicine, Infectious Diseases, Medicine 2013
Professor in Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Basic Science Departments 2014

Contact Information

DUMC Box 102359, 303 Sands Building, Research Drive, Durham, NC 27710
Duke Box 102359, Durham, NC 27710
andrew.alspaugh@duke.edu (919) 684-0045

Background
Education, Training, & Certifications
- Fellow, Infectious Diseases, Duke University School of Medicine 1995 - 1998
- Resident, Medicine, Vanderbilt University, School of Medicine 1992 - 1995
- Intern, Medicine, Vanderbilt University, School of Medicine 1991 - 1992
- M.D., Duke University 1991
Duke Appointment History
- Associate Professor in Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Basic Science Departments 2008 - 2013
- Associate Professor of Medicine, Medicine, Infectious Diseases, Medicine 2008 - 2013
- Assistant Professor in Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Basic Science Departments 2002 - 2008
- Associate Professor of Medicine, Medicine, Infectious Diseases, Medicine 2005 - 2008
- Assistant Professor of Medicine, Medicine, Infectious Diseases, Medicine 1999 - 2005
- Associate in the Department of Medicine, Medicine, Infectious Diseases, Medicine 1998 - 1999
- Instructor, Temporary in the Department of Medicine, Medicine, Infectious Diseases, Medicine 1998
Expertise
Global Scholarship
- Research
  - Central African Republic (Country)
Research
Selected Grants
- Cell and Molecular Biology Training Program awarded by National Institutes of Health 2021 - 2026
- Interdisciplinary Research Training Program in AIDS awarded by National Institutes of Health 2010 - 2025
- Genetic and Genomics Training Grant awarded by National Institutes of Health 2020 - 2025
- Molecular Mycology and Pathogenesis Training Program awarded by National Institutes of Health 2019 - 2024
- Duke Physician Scientist Development program awarded by Burroughs Wellcome Fund 2018 - 2023
- Transplant Infectious Diseases Interdisciplinary Research Training Grant (TIDIRTG) awarded by National Institutes of Health 2018 - 2023
- Metal Homeostasis in Yeast awarded by National Institutes of Health 2003 - 2023
- Duke Resident Physician-Scientist Program - NIAID awarded by National Institutes of Health 2018 - 2022
- Coordinated Regulation of Virulence Genes in C. neoformans awarded by National Institutes of Health 2016 - 2022
- Postdoctoral Training in Genomic Medicine Research awarded by National Institutes of Health 2017 - 2022
- Role of osteopontin in innate immunity during infections and inflammation awarded by National Institutes of Health 2011 - 2022
- Defining pH-Sensing in Fungal Virulence (F31) awarded by National Institutes of Health 2019 - 2022
- Mining the Coprophilous Mycobiome for new Cryptococcus Antiinfectives and Antifungal Synergists awarded by University of Iowa 2017 - 2020
- Genetics Training Grant awarded by National Institutes of Health 1979 - 2020
- Organization and Function of Cellular Structure awarded by National Institutes of Health 1975 - 2020
- Temperature-dependent transposon mobilization in Cryptococcus neoformans awarded by National Institutes of Health 2017 - 2020
- Physician-Scientist Institutional Award: Increasing Opportunities for the M.D. Interested in a Research Career awarded by Burroughs Wellcome Fund 2017 - 2018
- Ras Signaling in C. neoformans virulence and development awarded by National Institutes of Health 2008 - 2014
- C. neoformans cAMP signaling and pathogenesis awarded by National Institutes of Health 2006 - 2009
- Ras signaling in C. neoformans virulence and development awarded by National Institutes of Health 2002 - 2003
- Signal Transduction And Virulence In C Neoformans awarded by National Institutes of Health 1998 - 2002
- Signal transduction and virulence in C Neoformans awarded by National Institutes of Health 1998 - 2002
Publications & Artistic Works
Selected Publications
- Academic Articles
  - Telzrow, Calla L., Paul J. Zwack, Shannon Esher Righi, Fred S. Dietrich, Cliburn Chan, Kouros Owzar, J Andrew Alspaugh, and Joshua A. Granek. “Comparative analysis of RNA enrichment methods for preparation of Cryptococcus neoformans RNA sequencing libraries.” G3 (Bethesda, Md.), August 26, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1093/g3journal/jkab301.
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  - Telzrow, Calla, Paul Zwack, Shannon Esher Righi, Fred Dietrich, Cliburn Chan, Kouros Owzar, Andrew Alspaugh, and Joshua Granek. “Comparative analysis of RNA enrichment methods for preparation of Cryptococcus neoformans RNA sequencing libraries,” March 2, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.03.01.433483.
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  - Perlatti, Bruno, Nan Lan, Meichun Xiang, Cody E. Earp, Joseph E. Spraker, Colin J. B. Harvey, Connie B. Nichols, J Andrew Alspaugh, James B. Gloer, and Gerald F. Bills. “Anti-cryptococcal activity of preussolides A and B, phosphoethanolamine-substituted 24-membered macrolides, and leptosin C from coprophilous isolates of Preussia typharum.” Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology, February 26, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1093/jimb/kuab022.
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  - Perlatti, Bruno, Connie B. Nichols, J Andrew Alspaugh, James B. Gloer, and Gerald F. Bills. “Sphaerostilbellins, New Antimicrobial Aminolipopeptide Peptaibiotics from Sphaerostilbella toxica.” Biomolecules 10, no. 10 (September 26, 2020). https://doi.org/10.3390/biom10101371.
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  - Perlatti, Bruno, Guy Harris, Connie B. Nichols, Dulamini I. Ekanayake, J Andrew Alspaugh, James B. Gloer, and Gerald F. Bills. “Campafungins: Inhibitors of Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans Hyphal Growth.” J Nat Prod 83, no. 9 (September 25, 2020): 2718–26. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jnatprod.0c00641.
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  - Oliveira, Fabiana Freire M., Hugo Costa Paes, Luísa Defranco F. Peconick, Fernanda L. Fonseca, Clara Luna Freitas Marina, Anamélia Lorenzetti Bocca, Mauricio Homem-de-Mello, et al. “Erg6 affects membrane composition and virulence of the human fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans.” Fungal Genet Biol 140 (July 2020): 103368. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fgb.2020.103368.
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  - Brown, Hannah E., Calla L. Telzrow, Joseph W. Saelens, Larissa Fernandes, and J Andrew Alspaugh. “Sterol-Response Pathways Mediate Alkaline Survival in Diverse Fungi.” Mbio 11, no. 3 (June 16, 2020). https://doi.org/10.1128/mBio.00719-20.
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  - Gusa, Asiya, Jonathan D. Williams, Jang-Eun Cho, Anna Floyd Averette, Sheng Sun, Eva Mei Shouse, Joseph Heitman, J Andrew Alspaugh, and Sue Jinks-Robertson. “Transposon mobilization in the human fungal pathogen Cryptococcus is mutagenic during infection and promotes drug resistance in vitro.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 117, no. 18 (May 2020): 9973–80. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2001451117.
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  - Brown, Hannah, Calla Telzrow, Joseph Saelens, Larissa Fernandes, and Andrew Alspaugh. “Sterol-response pathways mediate alkaline survival in diverse fungi,” March 29, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.03.26.010983.
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  - Trevijano-Contador, Nuria, Kaila M. Pianalto, Connie B. Nichols, Oscar Zaragoza, J Andrew Alspaugh, and Liise-Anne Pirofski. “Human IgM Inhibits the Formation of Titan-Like Cells in Cryptococcus neoformans.” Infect Immun 88, no. 4 (March 23, 2020). https://doi.org/10.1128/IAI.00046-20.
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  - Alspaugh, J Andrew. “New Spins on Old Drugs: Enhancing Activity of Antifungals.” Cell Chem Biol 27, no. 3 (March 19, 2020): 255–56. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chembiol.2020.03.001.
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  - Chhetri, Abhishek, Anna Loksztejn, Hai Nguyen, Kaila M. Pianalto, Mi Jung Kim, Jiyong Hong, J Andrew Alspaugh, and Kenichi Yokoyama. “Length Specificity and Polymerization Mechanism of (1,3)-β-d-Glucan Synthase in Fungal Cell Wall Biosynthesis.” Biochemistry 59, no. 5 (February 2020): 682–93. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.biochem.9b00896.
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  - Gusa, Asiya, Jonathan Williams, Jang-Eun Cho, Anna Floyd-Averette, Sheng Sun, Eva Mei Shouse, Joseph Heitman, Andrew Alspaugh, and Sue Jinks-Robertson. “Transposon mobilization in the human fungal pathogen Cryptococcus deneoformans is mutagenic during infection and promotes drug resistance in vitro,” January 30, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.01.29.924845.
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  - Brown, Hannah E., Shannon K. Esher, and J Andrew Alspaugh. “Chitin: A "Hidden Figure" in the Fungal Cell Wall.” Curr Top Microbiol Immunol 425 (2020): 83–111. https://doi.org/10.1007/82_2019_184.
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  - Perlatti, Bruno, Connie B. Nichols, Nan Lan, Philipp Wiemann, Colin J. B. Harvey, J Andrew Alspaugh, and Gerald F. Bills. “Identification of the Antifungal Metabolite Chaetoglobosin P From Discosia rubi Using a Cryptococcus neoformans Inhibition Assay: Insights Into Mode of Action and Biosynthesis.” Front Microbiol 11 (2020): 1766. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2020.01766.
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  - Telzrow, Calla L., Connie B. Nichols, Natalia Castro-Lopez, Floyd L. Wormley, and J Andrew Alspaugh. “A Fungal Arrestin Protein Contributes to Cell Cycle Progression and Pathogenesis.” Mbio 10, no. 6 (November 19, 2019). https://doi.org/10.1128/mBio.02682-19.
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  - Telzrow, Calla, Connie Nichols, Natalia Castro-Lopez, Floyd Wormley, and Andrew Alspaugh. “A fungal arrestin protein contributes to cell cycle progression and pathogenesis,” October 11, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1101/801829.
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  - Pianalto, Kaila M., R Blake Billmyre, Calla L. Telzrow, and J Andrew Alspaugh. “Roles for Stress Response and Cell Wall Biosynthesis Pathways in Caspofungin Tolerance in Cryptococcus neoformans.” Genetics 213, no. 1 (September 2019): 213–27. https://doi.org/10.1534/genetics.119.302290.
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  - Chen, Sharon F., Jennifer Deitz, Jason N. Batten, Jennifer DeCoste-Lopez, Maya Adam, J Andrew Alspaugh, Manuel R. Amieva, et al. “A Multi-Institution Collaboration to Define Core Content and Design Flexible Curricular Components for a Foundational Medical School Course: Implications for National Curriculum Reform.” Acad Med 94, no. 6 (June 2019): 819–25. https://doi.org/10.1097/ACM.0000000000002663.
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  - Dischler, Nicole M., Lijian Xu, Yan Li, Connie B. Nichols, J Andrew Alspaugh, Gerald F. Bills, and James B. Gloer. “Wortmannin and Wortmannine Analogues from an Undescribed Niesslia sp.” J Nat Prod 82, no. 3 (March 22, 2019): 532–38. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jnatprod.8b00923.
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  - Brown, Hannah E., Kyla S. Ost, Shannon K. Esher, Kaila M. Pianalto, Joseph W. Saelens, Ziqiang Guan, and J. Andrew Alspaugh. “Identifying a novel connection between the fungal plasma membrane and pH-sensing.” Mol Microbiol 109, no. 4 (August 2018): 474–93. https://doi.org/10.1111/mmi.13998.
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  - Pianalto, Kaila M., Kyla S. Ost, Hannah E. Brown, and J Andrew Alspaugh. “Characterization of additional components of the environmental pH-sensing complex in the pathogenic fungus Cryptococcus neoformans.” J Biol Chem 293, no. 26 (June 29, 2018): 9995–10008. https://doi.org/10.1074/jbc.RA118.002741.
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  - Esher, Shannon K., Kyla S. Ost, Maria A. Kohlbrenner, Kaila M. Pianalto, Calla L. Telzrow, Althea Campuzano, Connie B. Nichols, Carol Munro, Floyd L. Wormley, and J Andrew Alspaugh. “Defects in intracellular trafficking of fungal cell wall synthases lead to aberrant host immune recognition.” Plos Pathog 14, no. 6 (June 2018): e1007126. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1007126.
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  - Brandão, Fabiana, Shannon K. Esher, Kyla S. Ost, Kaila Pianalto, Connie B. Nichols, Larissa Fernandes, Anamélia L. Bocca, Marcio José Poças-Fonseca, and J Andrew Alspaugh. “HDAC genes play distinct and redundant roles in Cryptococcus neoformans virulence.” Sci Rep 8, no. 1 (March 26, 2018): 5209. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-21965-y.
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  - Xu, Lijian, Yan Li, John B. Biggins, Brian R. Bowman, Gregory L. Verdine, James B. Gloer, J Andrew Alspaugh, and Gerald F. Bills. “Identification of cyclosporin C from Amphichorda felina using a Cryptococcus neoformans differential temperature sensitivity assay.” Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 102, no. 5 (March 2018): 2337–50. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-018-8792-0.
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  - Esher, Shannon K., Oscar Zaragoza, and James Andrew Alspaugh. “Cryptococcal pathogenic mechanisms: a dangerous trip from the environment to the brain.” Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 113, no. 7 (2018): e180057. https://doi.org/10.1590/0074-02760180057.
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  - Hemmersbach-Miller, Marion, Emily S. Bailey, Matthew Kappus, Vinod K. Prasad, Gregory C. Gray, and J Andrew Alspaugh. “Disseminated Adenovirus Infection After Combined Liver-Kidney Transplantation.” Front Cell Infect Microbiol 8 (2018): 408. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2018.00408.
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  - Paes, Hugo Costa, Lorena da Silveira Derengowski, Luisa Defranco Ferreira Peconick, Patrícia Albuquerque, Georgios Joannis Pappas, André Moraes Nicola, Fabiana Brandão Alves Silva, et al. “A Wor1-Like Transcription Factor Is Essential for Virulence of Cryptococcus neoformans.” Front Cell Infect Microbiol 8 (2018): 369. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2018.00369.
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  - Alspaugh, J Andrew. “Targeting protein localization for anti-infective therapy.” Virulence 8, no. 7 (October 3, 2017): 1105–7. https://doi.org/10.1080/21505594.2017.1342921.
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  - Ost, Kyla S., Shannon K. Esher, Chrissy M. Leopold Wager, Louise Walker, Jeanette Wagener, Carol Munro, Floyd L. Wormley, and J Andrew Alspaugh. “Rim Pathway-Mediated Alterations in the Fungal Cell Wall Influence Immune Recognition and Inflammation.” Mbio 8, no. 1 (January 31, 2017). https://doi.org/10.1128/mBio.02290-16.
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  - Gontijo, Fabiano de Assis, Amanda Teixeira de Melo, Renata C. Pascon, Larissa Fernandes, Hugo Costa Paes, J Andrew Alspaugh, and Marcelo A. Vallim. “The role of Aspartyl aminopeptidase (Ape4) in Cryptococcus neoformans virulence and authophagy.” Plos One 12, no. 5 (2017): e0177461. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0177461.
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  - Alspaugh, J Andrew. “Discovery of Ibomycin, a Potent Antifungal Weapon.” Cell Chem Biol 23, no. 11 (November 17, 2016): 1321–22. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chembiol.2016.11.001.
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  - Pianalto, Kaila M., and J Andrew Alspaugh. “New Horizons in Antifungal Therapy.” J Fungi (Basel) 2, no. 4 (October 2, 2016). https://doi.org/10.3390/jof2040026.
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  - Esher, Shannon K., Kyla S. Ost, Lukasz Kozubowski, Dong-Hoon Yang, Min Su Kim, Yong-Sun Bahn, J Andrew Alspaugh, and Connie B. Nichols. “Relative Contributions of Prenylation and Postprenylation Processing in Cryptococcus neoformans Pathogenesis.” Msphere 1, no. 2 (March 2016). https://doi.org/10.1128/mSphere.00084-15.
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  - Alspaugh, J Andrew. “Unveiling Protein Kinase A Targets in Cryptococcus neoformans Capsule Formation.” Mbio 7, no. 1 (February 9, 2016): e00021–e00016. https://doi.org/10.1128/mBio.00021-16.
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  - Esher, Shannon K., Joshua A. Granek, and J Andrew Alspaugh. “Rapid mapping of insertional mutations to probe cell wall regulation in Cryptococcus neoformans.” Fungal Genet Biol 82 (September 2015): 9–21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fgb.2015.06.003.
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  - Nichols, Connie B., Kyla S. Ost, Dayton P. Grogan, Kaila Pianalto, Shirin Hasan, and J Andrew Alspaugh. “Impact of Protein Palmitoylation on the Virulence Potential of Cryptococcus neoformans.” Eukaryot Cell 14, no. 7 (July 2015): 626–35. https://doi.org/10.1128/EC.00010-15.
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  - Alspaugh, J Andrew. “Virulence mechanisms and Cryptococcus neoformans pathogenesis.” Fungal Genet Biol 78 (May 2015): 55–58. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fgb.2014.09.004.
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  - Ost, Kyla S., Teresa R. O’Meara, Naureen Huda, Shannon K. Esher, and J Andrew Alspaugh. “The Cryptococcus neoformans alkaline response pathway: identification of a novel rim pathway activator.” Plos Genet 11, no. 4 (April 2015): e1005159. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgen.1005159.
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  - Lin, Xiaorong, J Andrew Alspaugh, Haoping Liu, and Steven Harris. “Fungal morphogenesis.” Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 5, no. 2 (November 3, 2014): a019679. https://doi.org/10.1101/cshperspect.a019679.
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  - Gontijo, Fabiano Assis de, Renata C. Pascon, Larissa Fernandes, Joel Machado, J Andrew Alspaugh, and Marcelo A. Vallim. “The role of the de novo pyrimidine biosynthetic pathway in Cryptococcus neoformans high temperature growth and virulence.” Fungal Genet Biol 70 (September 2014): 12–23. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fgb.2014.06.003.
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  - Esher, S. K., J. A. Granek, and J. A. Alspaugh. “AIM-HII: a new method to rapidly identify agrobacterium-mediated insertion sites in C. neoformans.” Mycoses 57 (May 1, 2014): 79–80.
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  - Fernandes Matos, L. F., T. C. Santos, A. L. N. Barros, L. D. F. Peconick, H. C. Paes, C. B. Nichols, J. A. Alspaugh, M. S. Felipe, and L. F. Fernandes. “Velvet proteins are mating regulators in Cryptococcus neoformans.” Mycoses 57 (May 1, 2014): 72–72.
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  - Nichols, C. B., C. Vazquez, and J. A. Alspaugh. “Drug delivery in C. neoformans using nanoparticles.” Mycoses 57 (May 1, 2014): 50–50.
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  - Nichols, C. B., K. M. Selvig, S. K. Esher, and J. A. Alspaugh. “Rim pathway-mediated adaptation to the host environment.” Mycoses 57 (May 1, 2014): 12–13.
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  - Oliveira, F. F. M., H. C. P. Costa Paes, L. D. F. Peconick, P. Albuquerque, A. M. Nicola, M. H. Melo, F. L. Fonseca, et al. “Erg6 is a potential drug target in Cryptococcus neoformans.” Mycoses 57 (May 1, 2014): 46–47.
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  - Paes, H. C., L. S. Derengowski, P. Albuquerque, A. M. Nicola, M. A. Vallim, J. A. Alspaugh, M. S. Felipe, and L. F. Fernandes. “Role of a Ryp1 homologue in the virulence of Cryptococcus neoformans.” Mycoses 57 (May 1, 2014): 74–74.
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  - Peconick, L. D. F., H. C. Paes, C. B. Nichols, J. A. Alspaugh, M. S. Felipe, and L. F. Fernandes. “The Cryptococcus neoformans Velvet gene VOSA is a positive regulator of mating.” Mycoses 57 (May 1, 2014): 75–76.
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  - Selvig, K. M., and J. A. Alspaugh. “The basics of the Cryptococcus neoformans alkaline response pathway: adapting to a bitter host.” Mycoses 57 (May 1, 2014): 18–18.
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  - O’Meara, Teresa R., Wenjie Xu, Kyla M. Selvig, Matthew J. O’Meara, Aaron P. Mitchell, and J Andrew Alspaugh. “The Cryptococcus neoformans Rim101 transcription factor directly regulates genes required for adaptation to the host.” Mol Cell Biol 34, no. 4 (February 2014): 673–84. https://doi.org/10.1128/MCB.01359-13.
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  - Alspaugh, J Andrew. “Hostile takeover: fungal protein promotes host cell invasion.” J Clin Invest 124, no. 1 (January 2014): 74–76. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI73585.
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  - Selvig, Kyla, Elizabeth R. Ballou, Connie B. Nichols, and J Andrew Alspaugh. “Restricted substrate specificity for the geranylgeranyltransferase-I enzyme in Cryptococcus neoformans: implications for virulence.” Eukaryot Cell 12, no. 11 (November 2013): 1462–71. https://doi.org/10.1128/EC.00193-13.
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  - Ballou, Elizabeth Ripley, Kyla Selvig, Jessica L. Narloch, Connie B. Nichols, and J Andrew Alspaugh. “Two Rac paralogs regulate polarized growth in the human fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans.” Fungal Genet Biol 57 (August 2013): 58–75. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fgb.2013.05.006.
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  - O’Meara, Teresa R., Stephanie M. Holmer, Kyla Selvig, Fred Dietrich, and J Andrew Alspaugh. “Cryptococcus neoformans Rim101 is associated with cell wall remodeling and evasion of the host immune responses.” Mbio 4, no. 1 (January 15, 2013). https://doi.org/10.1128/mBio.00522-12.
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  - Ballou, Elizabeth Ripley, Lukasz Kozubowski, Connie B. Nichols, and J Andrew Alspaugh. “Ras1 acts through duplicated Cdc42 and Rac proteins to regulate morphogenesis and pathogenesis in the human fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans.” Plos Genet 9, no. 8 (2013): e1003687. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgen.1003687.
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  - O’Meara, Teresa R., and J Andrew Alspaugh. “The Cryptococcus neoformans capsule: a sword and a shield.” Clin Microbiol Rev 25, no. 3 (July 2012): 387–408. https://doi.org/10.1128/CMR.00001-12.
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  - Shen, Gui, Erxun Zhou, J Andrew Alspaugh, and Ping Wang. “Wsp1 is downstream of Cin1 and regulates vesicle transport and actin cytoskeleton as an effector of Cdc42 and Rac1 in Cryptococcus neoformans.” Eukaryot Cell 11, no. 4 (April 2012): 471–81. https://doi.org/10.1128/EC.00011-12.
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  - Ballou, E. R., J. A. Alspaugh, and C. B. Nichols. “Morphogenesis of Cryptococcus neoformans.” Topics in Current Genetics 22 (February 6, 2012): 197–223. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-22916-9_10.
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  - Selvig, Kyla, and J Andrew Alspaugh. “pH Response Pathways in Fungi: Adapting to Host-derived and Environmental Signals.” Mycobiology 39, no. 4 (December 2011): 249–56. https://doi.org/10.5941/MYCO.2011.39.4.249.
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  - Hast, Michael A., Connie B. Nichols, Stephanie M. Armstrong, Shannon M. Kelly, Homme W. Hellinga, J Andrew Alspaugh, and Lorena S. Beese. “Structures of Cryptococcus neoformans protein farnesyltransferase reveal strategies for developing inhibitors that target fungal pathogens.” J Biol Chem 286, no. 40 (October 7, 2011): 35149–62. https://doi.org/10.1074/jbc.M111.250506.
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  - Okagaki, Laura H., Yina Wang, Elizabeth R. Ballou, Teresa R. O’Meara, Yong-Sun Bahn, J Andrew Alspaugh, Chaoyang Xue, and Kirsten Nielsen. “Cryptococcal titan cell formation is regulated by G-protein signaling in response to multiple stimuli.” Eukaryot Cell 10, no. 10 (October 2011): 1306–16. https://doi.org/10.1128/EC.05179-11.
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  - Schell, Wiley A., Kerry O’Donnell, and J Andrew Alspaugh. “Heterothallic mating in Mucor irregularis and first isolate of the species outside of Asia.” Med Mycol 49, no. 7 (October 2011): 714–23. https://doi.org/10.3109/13693786.2011.568975.
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  - Stout, Jason E., L Beth Gadkowski, Shadia Rath, James A. Alspaugh, Melissa B. Miller, and Gary M. Cox. “Pedicure-associated rapidly growing mycobacterial infection: an endemic disease.” Clin Infect Dis 53, no. 8 (October 2011): 787–92. https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/cir539.
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  - O’Meara, Teresa R., Christie Hay, Michael S. Price, Steve Giles, and J Andrew Alspaugh. “Cryptococcus neoformans histone acetyltransferase Gcn5 regulates fungal adaptation to the host.” Eukaryot Cell 9, no. 8 (August 2010): 1193–1202. https://doi.org/10.1128/EC.00098-10.
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  - O’Meara, Teresa R., Diana Norton, Michael S. Price, Christie Hay, Meredith F. Clements, Connie B. Nichols, and J Andrew Alspaugh. “Interaction of Cryptococcus neoformans Rim101 and protein kinase A regulates capsule.” Plos Pathog 6, no. 2 (February 19, 2010): e1000776. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1000776.
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  - Ballou, Elizabeth R., Connie B. Nichols, Kathleen J. Miglia, Lukasz Kozubowski, and J Andrew Alspaugh. “Two CDC42 paralogues modulate Cryptococcus neoformans thermotolerance and morphogenesis under host physiological conditions.” Mol Microbiol 75, no. 3 (February 2010): 763–80. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2958.2009.07019.x.
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  - Willger, Sven D., Joachim F. Ernst, J Andrew Alspaugh, and Klaus B. Lengeler. “Characterization of the PMT gene family in Cryptococcus neoformans.” Plos One 4, no. 7 (July 27, 2009): e6321. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0006321.
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  - Fortwendel, Jarrod R., Praveen Rao Juvvadi, Nadthanan Pinchai, B Zachary Perfect, J Andrew Alspaugh, John R. Perfect, and William J. Steinbach. “Differential effects of inhibiting chitin and 1,3-{beta}-D-glucan synthesis in ras and calcineurin mutants of Aspergillus fumigatus.” Antimicrob Agents Chemother 53, no. 2 (February 2009): 476–82. https://doi.org/10.1128/AAC.01154-08.
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  - Nichols, Connie B., Jessica Ferreyra, Elizabeth R. Ballou, and J Andrew Alspaugh. “Subcellular localization directs signaling specificity of the Cryptococcus neoformans Ras1 protein.” Eukaryot Cell 8, no. 2 (February 2009): 181–89. https://doi.org/10.1128/EC.00351-08.
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  - Price, Michael S., Connie B. Nichols, and J Andrew Alspaugh. “The Cryptococcus neoformans Rho-GDP dissociation inhibitor mediates intracellular survival and virulence.” Infect Immun 76, no. 12 (December 2008): 5729–37. https://doi.org/10.1128/IAI.00896-08.
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  - Nichols, Connie B., Zahra H. Perfect, and J Andrew Alspaugh. “A Ras1-Cdc24 signal transduction pathway mediates thermotolerance in the fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans.” Mol Microbiol 63, no. 4 (February 2007): 1118–30. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2958.2006.05566.x.
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  - Olson, Gillian M., Deborah S. Fox, Ping Wang, J Andrew Alspaugh, and Kent L. Buchanan. “Role of protein O-mannosyltransferase Pmt4 in the morphogenesis and virulence of Cryptococcus neoformans.” Eukaryot Cell 6, no. 2 (February 2007): 222–34. https://doi.org/10.1128/EC.00182-06.
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  - Giles, Steven S., Jason E. Stajich, Connie Nichols, Quincy D. Gerrald, J Andrew Alspaugh, Fred Dietrich, and John R. Perfect. “The Cryptococcus neoformans catalase gene family and its role in antioxidant defense.” Eukaryot Cell 5, no. 9 (September 2006): 1447–59. https://doi.org/10.1128/EC.00098-06.
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  - Cramer, Kari L., Quincy D. Gerrald, Connie B. Nichols, Michael S. Price, and J Andrew Alspaugh. “Transcription factor Nrg1 mediates capsule formation, stress response, and pathogenesis in Cryptococcus neoformans.” Eukaryot Cell 5, no. 7 (July 2006): 1147–56. https://doi.org/10.1128/EC.00145-06.
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  - Alexander, B. D., E. S. Dodds Ashley, R. M. Addison, J. A. Alspaugh, N. J. Chao, and J. R. Perfect. “Non-comparative evaluation of the safety of aerosolized amphotericin B lipid complex in patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.” Transpl Infect Dis 8, no. 1 (March 2006): 13–20. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1399-3062.2006.00125.x.
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  - Vallim, Marcelo A., Connie B. Nichols, Larissa Fernandes, Kari L. Cramer, and J Andrew Alspaugh. “A Rac homolog functions downstream of Ras1 to control hyphal differentiation and high-temperature growth in the pathogenic fungus Cryptococcus neoformans.” Eukaryot Cell 4, no. 6 (June 2005): 1066–78. https://doi.org/10.1128/EC.4.6.1066-1078.2005.
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  - Fraser, James A., Johnny C. Huang, Read Pukkila-Worley, J Andrew Alspaugh, Thomas G. Mitchell, and Joseph Heitman. “Chromosomal translocation and segmental duplication in Cryptococcus neoformans.” Eukaryot Cell 4, no. 2 (February 2005): 401–6. https://doi.org/10.1128/EC.4.2.401-406.2005.
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  - Pukkila-Worley, Read, Quincy D. Gerrald, Peter R. Kraus, Marie-Josée Boily, Matthew J. Davis, Steven S. Giles, Gary M. Cox, Joseph Heitman, and J Andrew Alspaugh. “Transcriptional network of multiple capsule and melanin genes governed by the Cryptococcus neoformans cyclic AMP cascade.” Eukaryot Cell 4, no. 1 (January 2005): 190–201. https://doi.org/10.1128/EC.4.1.190-201.2005.
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  - Vallim, Marcelo A., Larissa Fernandes, and J Andrew Alspaugh. “The RAM1 gene encoding a protein-farnesyltransferase beta-subunit homologue is essential in Cryptococcus neoformans.” Microbiology (Reading) 150, no. Pt 6 (June 2004): 1925–35. https://doi.org/10.1099/mic.0.27030-0.
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  - Pukkila-Worley, Read, and J Andrew Alspaugh. “Cyclic AMP signaling in Cryptococcus neoformans.” Fems Yeast Res 4, no. 4–5 (January 2004): 361–67. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1567-1356(03)00241-1.
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  - Vallim, M. A., L. Fernandes, and J. A. Alspaugh. “The RAM1 gene encoding a protein-farnesyltransferase β-subunit homologue is essential in Cryptococcus neoformans.” Microbiology 150, no. 6 (2004): 1925–35.
  - Waugh, Michael S., Marcelo A. Vallim, Joseph Heitman, and J Andrew Alspaugh. “Ras1 controls pheromone expression and response during mating in Cryptococcus neoformans.” Fungal Genet Biol 38, no. 1 (February 2003): 110–21. https://doi.org/10.1016/s1087-1845(02)00518-2.
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  - Yang, Zhonghui, Renata C. Pascon, Andrew Alspaugh, Gary M. Cox, and John H. McCusker. “Molecular and genetic analysis of the Cryptococcus neoformans MET3 gene and a met3 mutant.” Microbiology (Reading) 148, no. Pt 8 (August 2002): 2617–25. https://doi.org/10.1099/00221287-148-8-2617.
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  - Alspaugh, J Andrew, Read Pukkila-Worley, Toshiaki Harashima, Lora M. Cavallo, Deanna Funnell, Gary M. Cox, John R. Perfect, James W. Kronstad, and Joseph Heitman. “Adenylyl cyclase functions downstream of the Galpha protein Gpa1 and controls mating and pathogenicity of Cryptococcus neoformans.” Eukaryot Cell 1, no. 1 (February 2002): 75–84. https://doi.org/10.1128/EC.1.1.75-84.2002.
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  - Schiappa, D., A. Gueyikian, S. Kakar, J. A. Alspaugh, J. R. Perfect, and P. R. Williamson. “An auxotrophic pigmented Cryptococcus neoformans strain causing infection of the bone marrow.” Med Mycol 40, no. 1 (February 2002): 1–5. https://doi.org/10.1080/mmy.40.1.1.5.
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  - Waugh, M. S., C. B. Nichols, C. M. DeCesare, G. M. Cox, J. Heitman, and J. A. Alspaugh. “Ras1 and Ras2 contribute shared and unique roles in physiology and virulence of Cryptococcus neoformans.” Microbiology 148, no. 1 (2002): 191–201.
  - Waugh, Michael S., Connie B. Nichols, Cameron M. DeCesare, Gary M. Cox, Joseph Heitman, and J Andrew Alspaugh. “Ras1 and Ras2 contribute shared and unique roles in physiology and virulence of Cryptococcus neoformans.” Microbiology (Reading) 148, no. Pt 1 (January 2002): 191–201. https://doi.org/10.1099/00221287-148-1-191.
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  - Yang, Z., R. C. Pascon, J. A. Alspaugh, G. M. Cox, and J. H. McCusker. “Molecular and genetic analysis of the Cryptococcus neoformans MET3 gene and a met3 mutant.” Microbiology 148, no. 8 (2002): 2617–25.
  - D’Souza, C. A., J. A. Alspaugh, C. Yue, T. Harashima, G. M. Cox, J. R. Perfect, and J. Heitman. “Cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase controls virulence of the fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans.” Mol Cell Biol 21, no. 9 (May 2001): 3179–91. https://doi.org/10.1128/MCB.21.9.3179-3191.2001.
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  - Alspaugh, J. A., L. M. Cavallo, J. R. Perfect, and J. Heitman. “RAS1 regulates filamentation, mating and growth at high temperature of Cryptococcus neoformans.” Mol Microbiol 36, no. 2 (April 2000): 352–65. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2958.2000.01852.x.
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  - Davidson, R. C., M. C. Cruz, R. A. Sia, B. Allen, J. A. Alspaugh, and J. Heitman. “Gene disruption by biolistic transformation in serotype D strains of Cryptococcus neoformans.” Fungal Genet Biol 29, no. 1 (February 2000): 38–48. https://doi.org/10.1006/fgbi.1999.1180.
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  - Alspaugh, J. A., R. C. Davidson, and J. Heitman. “Morphogenesis of Cryptococcus neoformans.” Contrib Microbiol 5 (2000): 217–38. https://doi.org/10.1159/000060352.
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  - Yue, C., L. M. Cavallo, J. A. Alspaugh, P. Wang, G. M. Cox, J. R. Perfect, and J. Heitman. “The STE12alpha homolog is required for haploid filamentation but largely dispensable for mating and virulence in Cryptococcus neoformans.” Genetics 153, no. 4 (December 1999): 1601–15. https://doi.org/10.1093/genetics/153.4.1601.
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  - Heitman, J., B. Allen, J. A. Alspaugh, and K. J. Kwon-Chung. “On the origins of congenic MATalpha and MATa strains of the pathogenic yeast Cryptococcus neoformans.” Fungal Genet Biol 28, no. 1 (October 1999): 1–5. https://doi.org/10.1006/fgbi.1999.1155.
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  - Sudarshan, S., R. C. Davidson, J. Heitman, and J. A. Alspaugh. “Molecular analysis of the Cryptococcus neoformans ADE2 gene, a selectable marker for transformation and gene disruption.” Fungal Genet Biol 27, no. 1 (June 1999): 36–48. https://doi.org/10.1006/fgbi.1999.1126.
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  - Alspaugh, J. A., J. R. Perfect, and J. Heitman. “Signal transduction pathways regulating differentiation and pathogenicity of Cryptococcus neoformans.” Fungal Genet Biol 25, no. 1 (October 1998): 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1006/fgbi.1998.1079.
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  - Fowler, V. G., F. M. Nacinovich, J. A. Alspaugh, and G. R. Corey. “Prosthetic joint infection due to Histoplasma capsulatum: case report and review.” Clin Infect Dis 26, no. 4 (April 1998): 1017. https://doi.org/10.1086/517643.
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  - Alspaugh, J. A., J. R. Perfect, and J. Heitman. “Cryptococcus neoformans mating and virulence are regulated by the G-protein alpha subunit GPA1 and cAMP.” Genes Dev 11, no. 23 (December 1, 1997): 3206–17. https://doi.org/10.1101/gad.11.23.3206.
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  - Alspaugh, J. A., J. R. Perfect, and J. Heitman. “GPA1 regulates capsule formation, melanin production, mating, and virulence in Cryptococcus neoformans.” Clinical Infectious Diseases 25, no. 2 (December 1, 1997): 356.
  - Lyon, G. M., J. A. Alspaugh, F. T. Meredith, L. J. Harrell, V. Tapson, R. D. Davis, and S. S. Kanj. “Mycoplasma hominis pneumonia complicating bilateral lung transplantation: case report and review of the literature.” Chest 112, no. 5 (November 5, 1997): 1428–32. https://doi.org/10.1378/chest.112.5.1428.
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  - Mallory, M. A., R. E. Nettles, A. Alspaug, and D. J. Sexton. “Community-acquired prosthetic valve endocarditis due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.” Clin Infect Dis 24, no. 6 (June 1997): 1272–73. https://doi.org/10.1093/clinids/24.6.1273.
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  - Alspaugh, J. A., and J. R. Perfect. “Infections due to zygomycetes and other rare fungal opportunists.” Seminars in Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine 18, no. 3 (January 1, 1997): 265–79. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2008-1070996.
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  - Alspaugh, C. D., L. McDonald, and J. A. Alspaugh. “Calciphylaxis.” J Tenn Med Assoc 88, no. 10 (October 1995): 397–98.
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  - Alspaugh, J. A. “Severe, recurrent peptic ulcer disease: a case of the Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.” J Tenn Med Assoc 88, no. 9 (September 1995): 353–54.
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  - Alspaugh, J. A. “Cocaine-associated chest pain: a case of aortic dissection.” J Tenn Med Assoc 88, no. 7 (July 1995): 271.
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  - Jirjis, J. N., and J. A. Alspaugh. “"Cold, cold heart": a case of severe hypothermia.” J Tenn Med Assoc 88, no. 5 (May 1995): 189–92.
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  - Alspaugh, J. A. “A patient with end-stage renal disease and a neck mass.” J Tenn Med Assoc 88, no. 2 (February 1995): 60–61.
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  - Alspaugh, J. A. “The varied manifestations of disseminated gonococcal infection.” J Tenn Med Assoc 87, no. 11 (November 1994): 479–80.
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  - Alspaugh, J. A., and D. L. Granger. “Inhibition of Cryptococcus neoformans replication by nitrogen oxides supports the role of these molecules as effectors of macrophage-mediated cytostasis.” Infect Immun 59, no. 7 (July 1991): 2291–96. https://doi.org/10.1128/iai.59.7.2291-2296.1991.
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  - Skrzynia, C., D. M. Binninger, J. A. Alspaugh, and P. J. Pukkila. “Molecular characterization of TRP1, a gene coding for tryptophan synthetase in the basidiomycete Coprinus cinereus.” Gene 81, no. 1 (September 1, 1989): 73–82. https://doi.org/10.1016/0378-1119(89)90338-7.
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- Conference Papers
  - GRANGER, D. L., K. S. BOOCKVAR, R. M. POSTON, R. J. KURLANDER, J. A. ALSPAUGH, and J. B. HIBBS. “ROLE OF NITROGEN-OXIDES IN HOST-DEFENSE AGAINST INTRACELLULAR PATHOGENS.” In Nitric Oxide: Brain and Immune System, 213–21, 1993.
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  - GRANGER, D. L., J. A. ALSPAUGH, M. L. CAMERON, and J. B. HIBBS. “ROLE OF MACROPHAGE NITROGEN OXIDATION METABOLISM AS AN ANTIMICROBIAL HOST DEFENSE-MECHANISM.” In Cellular and Cytokine Networks in Tissue Immunity, 11:241–46, 1991.
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