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Fueling mycobacterial persistence

Adaptation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis to hypoxia and low energy conditions

Our laboratory is focused on two fundamental aspects of Mycobacterial physiology:

1. Determining how Mycobacterium tuberculosis and other pathogenic microorganisms metabolize and generate energy in host tissues

• What energy sources do pathogenic microorganisms use in the host?

• What are the mechanisms that pathogenic microorganisms use to generate energy?

• How do aerobic pathogens survive in host tissues that are hypoxic?

• What are the signalling pathways and how are the controlled?

Recent papers:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26482235

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26405831

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25058581

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25049411

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24591586

2. Deciphering the mechanisms Mycobacterium tuberculosis uses to slow metabolism/growth in response to various environmental cues

• How do mycobacteria uncouple metabolism from growth?

• What role do toxin-antitoxin modules play in this process?

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23454553

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22366418

Group members

Dr Michael Petridis, Postdoctoral fellow, michaelpetridu@gmail.com

Liam Harold, PhD Candidate, liamharold@gmail.com

Reuben Vercoe, PhD Candidate, reuben.b.vercoe@gmail.com

Kiel Hards, PhD candidate, kiel.hards@otago.ac.nz

Zoe Williams, PhD candidate, zoewilliams@hotmail.co.nz

Please enquire to obtain more specific information on these projects: gregory.cook@otago.ac.nz