Defences against radicals: How yeast defends itself against our immune system

Our immune system attacks pathogens with a powerful weapon: reactive oxygen species. These aggressive molecules damage the cells of the invaders, thereby rendering them harmless. However, yeasts such as Candida albicans have developed clever defence mechanisms.

During a visit to our laboratory, you’ll learn how Candida albicans uses the enzyme catalase to neutralise the oxygen radicals produced by our immune cells, thereby defending itself against the attack.

You can recreate one of these defence mechanisms yourself: using a simple catalase test, you’ll see how yeast breaks down hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen. In the ‘Yeast Eruption’ experiment, this reaction causes a spectacular burst of foam – and clearly demonstrates just how effective this defence mechanism is. An experiment for anyone who wants to not only see science, but experience it for themselves!

Would you like to find out more about immune cells and their battle against yeast? Then be sure to check out our board games too!