Education: Postdoctoral and Visiting Scientists

TB Gene Regulation and Pathogenesis

Response to the host environment is essential for the success of most bacterial pathogens. We are using genetic, genomic and proteomic approaches to study the means by which TB bacteria sense and respond to the environmental conditions they encounter within the host during infection. Particular areas of interest include Mycobacterium tuberculosis's genetic regulatory responses during macrophage infection and within granuloma-associated conditions. Survival and replication within macrophages is essential for M. tuberculosis during acute infection, whereas survival within granulomas is key to long term persistence of tubercle bacilli within its host. Identification and characterization of the genes that contribute to M. tuberculosis's success in these areas will contribute to our understanding of TB pathogenesis and the design of better therapeutics against this deadly disease.