**Acknowledgements**

I would like to thank Professor Alistair JP Brown for his advice and support throughout this project. I would also like to thank the Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education and Universiti Sains Malaysia for providing financial support. I am grateful to the members of Aberdeen Fungal Group, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, UK and the staff of Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia for all their support and friendship. Thanks to my family and friends for their love and support.
