Researchers have discovered a previously unknown mechanism that allows the potentially deadly fungus Candida auris to survive antifungal treatment, potentially opening the door to new ways of tackling drug-resistant infections.

The study, led by the University of Exeter and City St George's, University of London, found that the fungus can create multiple copies of its entire genome and may increase its chances of developing mutations that help it evade drugs.

The findings were published on Oct. 15 in Nature Communications.