Candida albicans is a yeast found in all humans. It's in our skin, intestines and urinary tract. The yeast is usually harmless although it does flare up frequently in women who take antibiotics, causing uncomfortable vaginal infections. But in people who have weak immune systems candida albicans can be deadly. If the yeast penetrates the blood steam of someone with HIV, diabetes, or cancer, the infection quickly spreads forming colonies that attack the brain, eyes, kidneys and heart. Treatment is difficult and up to 30% of patients die. Researchers at the University of Minnesota say they've discovered a chink in the yeast's armor. Associate professor of plant biology, Judith Berman, and her colleagues, have isolated a gene that makes the yeast especially virulent. Berman says when U of M scientists removed that gene the yeast had a hard time taking hold in laboratory mice.