Tuberculosis continues to be a global health problem with several million new cases added annually and two million deaths every year. The emergence of multiple and total drug-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (the bacteria that causes TB) has resulted worldwide efforts to combat the disease using a variety of strategies. I will describe some of these efforts including our own. Our approach is to understand the pathogen biology to develop inhibitors that kill the pathogen. By employing a combination of approaches- genetics, biophysics, molecular and cell biology, we have investigated the importance of several essential proteins needed for survival of mycobacteria. To understand their cellular role, and to target them, we have either developed inhibitors that curtail bacterial growth or constructed knock down strains to down regulate their expression and disturb cellular function. These genetic and chemical perturbations have revealed hidden secrets of the pathogen’s success facilitating newer intervention strategies.
Zoom link: https://icts-res-in.zoom.us/j/98066990169?pwd=JCI4Zvg6CZb0PGTaOIf6bBKRIHsyJ5.1
Meeting ID: 980 6699 0169
Passcode: 181819