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SUMMARY:Lessons for Tuberculosis Pathogenesis and Treatment from the Zebra
 fish - Professor Lalita Ramakrishnan |  FRS FMedSci 
DTSTART:20220215T180000Z
DTEND:20220215T193000Z
UID:TALK169526@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:92260
DESCRIPTION:We are interested in understanding the pathogenesis of tubercu
 losis and the basis of vastly different susceptibilities to this disease. 
 Tuberculous infection results in the formation of granulomas\, complex imm
 une structures that are composed of differentiated macrophages\, lymphocyt
 es and other immune cells. However\, bacteria can persist within granuloma
 s despite the development of antigen-specific immunity. To understand the 
 mechanistic basis of mycobacterial persistence\, the mechanisms of granulo
 ma formation and its role in tuberculosis\, we have developed the zebrafis
 h as model to study immunity to tuberculosis. Zebrafish are naturally susc
 eptible to tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium marinum\, a close genetic 
 relative of M. tuberculosis\, the agent of human tuberculosis. We exploit 
 the optical transparency and genetic tractability of the zebrafish to moni
 tor the infection process in real-time and modulate it using genetically d
 efined host and bacterial mutants. We have employed both forward and rever
 se genetics to understand the basis of host resistance and susceptibility 
 to TB. Our research is shedding light on TB pathogenesis as well as fundam
 ental mechanisms of immune cell chemotaxis\, adhesion and aggregation as w
 ell as immune regulation. Findings made in the zebrafish have been borne o
 ut in human populations and are informing new strategies for intervention.
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LOCATION:Wolfson Lecture Theatre\,  Department of Chemistry\, Lensfield Ro
 ad
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