Investigating the role of functional antibodies against Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Summary Preliminary studies by our lab suggest that patients that can control Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) (latently infected) have improved functional antibody responses compared to symptomatic (active) Mtb patients. Therefore, we are interested in characterising the antibodies from patients with different clinical Mtb disease outcomes in order to further understand the importance of these potentially protective antibodies.

Project Details

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infects approximately one third of the world’s population and is currently one of the major causes of morbidity and death worldwide. The role of antibodies in Mtb is underexplored, although rare studies suggest that antibodies may contribute to Mtb control. Preliminary studies by our lab suggest that patients that can control Mtb (latently infected) have improved functional antibody responses compared to symptomatic (active) Mtb patients. Therefore, we are interested in characterising the antibodies from patients with different clinical Mtb disease outcomes in order to further understand the importance of these potentially protective antibodies.