Our research focuses on the pathogenesis of tuberculosis with the goal to aid the development of new chemotherapies and vaccines. We investigate the molecular mechanisms that enable Mycobacterium tuberculosis to establish and maintain chronic infections and resist host defenses. We apply molecular genetics to identify new points of vulnerability, which could be targeted to kill populations that escape current chemotherapy in people with latent M. tuberculosis infection. We also analyze host immune factors that are required to control M. tuberculosis and try to identify new strategies to generate improved TB vaccines.
