Identifying novel survival mechanisms of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis within its host

Limited knowledge on the pathogenesis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is the bottleneck of novel anti-tubercular drug/vaccine discovery. Recognizing the macrophage as the main host cell of Mtb during infection, the work of this thesis aims to identify (some of) the mechanisms that are involved in Mtb survival within the phagolysosomal compartment of the macrophage. The role of mycobacterial urease in resisting the acidic microenvironment within phagolysosome was investigated. An novel in vitro lysosomal exposure model was also described. Through next generation sequencing, the transcriptome of Mtb was profiled based on this model, and has led to the identification of some novel genes that are potentially vital for intra-phagolysosomal survival of Mtb.

Author dc:creator

• LIN WENWEI

• Mycobacterium tuberculosis, novel survival mechanisms, macrophage, RNA-seq, urease, efflux pump