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Vascular dysfunction in mycobacterial pathogenesis

Summary

This project will investigate the importance of vascular remodelling and leakage in fuelling tuberculosis infection

Supervisors

Dr Stefan Oehlers, Professor Warwick J Britton.

Research location

Camperdown - Centenary Institute

Program type

Masters/PHD

Synopsis

Tuberculosis is now the deadliest bacterial disease affecting the world. Our research group uses the zebrafish model system to better understand and treat this disease.
Mycobacterial infection results in the formation of complex aggregates of immune cells known as granulomas, and these can be readily visualised in zebrafish. These granulomas behave similarly to tumours in many ways including the way they recruit leaky blood vessels to the site of infection. We have shown that angiogenesis (http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nature13967),vascular permeability
(http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jiw355), and haemostasis (https://doi.org/10.1101/338111) aid mycobacterial growth in zebrafish infection models.
This project expands these findings by determining the effects of vascularisation on host immunity and mycobacterial physiology using a combination of zebrafish, mouse, and in vitro cell culture models of TB.

Additional information

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Opportunity ID

The opportunity ID for this research opportunity is 2523

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