Our research aims to understand the role of mycobacterial cell wall-deficiency in persistency and pathogenicity in Tuberculosis and to elucidate its molecular regulation for future drug targeting. For this we investigate and characterize cell wall-deficient strains from Mycobacterial species and establish a microscopic platform to visualise the cells in vivo.

More information about Noortje Dannenberg

Persistence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis can lead to reactivation of the deadly disease tuberculosis over prolonged periods of time. There are currently no efficient treatments for persistency as the physical state and survival mechanisms of the bacteria in the host are largely unknown. Recent evidence has spurred renewed interest in the concept that persistency could involve cell wall-deficient cells. To determine the role of mycobacterial cell wall-deficiency in disease development, we study the conversion and physiology of various types of cell wall-deficient (CWD) cells and analyse their ability to establish, maintain and enter persistent infection in the host model. If cell wall-deficiency plays a role in persistency, CWD cells are expected to be similar to persisters cells in terms of gene expression and cellular physiology.