Session 2C: Inaugural Lectures by Fellows/Associates

Naba Kumar Mondal, Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Kolkata

Understanding and solving an ancient disease through modern approaches

Tuberculosis (TB) is an ancient disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), an intracellular pathogen. TB control remains a challenge due to a lack of an effective vaccine and long treatment duration. In addition, the rapid emergence of drug-resistant (both multi- and extensively drug-resistant) TB has added layers of complexity to TB control programs. The speaker and his team have been trying to understand host responses to Mtb infections with an overarching goal of developing host-directed approaches for the prevention and control of tuberculosis. The host response to Mtb infection at molecular, cellular and tissue organization levels have been characterized. Thus, at the molecular level, how Mtb alters host transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulatory responses and intracellular trafficking have been explored. At the cellular and tissue level, the role of diverse cellular and sub-cellular niches has been explored. Their efforts have yielded unprecedented insights into how Mtb alters host responses to its own advantage. Moreover, they have also been able to unravel immunological correlates of protection. Overall, their results have the potential to develop novel host-directed adjunct therapies for the prevention and control of TB.