Secretion system
Mycobacteria use multi-protein nanomachines known as Type VII Secretion Systems (T7SS) to carry out essential physiological functions and drive pathogenesis. We employ structural biology approaches to elucidate the architecture and mechanism of this medically important complex.
Intracellular survival
The ability to replicate while evading host immunity is a hallmark of successful intracellular pathogens, including Mycobacteria. We use a combination of cellular cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET), light microscopy, and microbiology techniques to investigate this replication process and the role of secretion systems in it.
Mycobacteriophage
Mycobacteriophages are viruses that specifically infect mycobacterial species. We use structural biology techniques to gain a fundamental understanding of how these phages interact with their mycobacterial hosts and overcome the unusually thick cell envelope to eject their genomes—ultimately leading to host killing, a process with significant therapeutic potential.
Hi-Res Microbiology
We collaborate with multiple laboratories on various topics related to microorganisms, including viruses, bacteria, and parasites.