Cryptococcus fungi are pathogenic fungi that, unless treated, are invariably fatal to those individuals infected, particularly to those who are immunocompromised. Recent reports indicate that Cryptococcus fungi infects 1,000,000 individuals per year and causes approximately 600,000 deaths. While antifungal treatments do exist, they unfortunately are inadequate to effectively cure this disease, due to inherent toxicities or the inability to kill the fungus and prevent relapse. To address the lack of effective treatment and to combat this lethal pathogenic fungus, Scientists at the Washington University School of Medicine have invented several novel vaccines that confer protection in mouse models of Cryptococcus infection.