TBRS scientists pursue a broad range of projects unified by the common goal of understanding the bacillus and its interaction with the human host in sufficient detail to identify and implement unique therapeutic solutions. We engage in preclinical development programs for producing and testing new antituberculosis drugs and drug delivery systems ranging from chemical synthesis to clinical trials. TBRS scientists attempt to understand the development of drug resistance by Mycobacterium tuberculosis , develop treatments for latent infections, and identify and validate new drug targets. TBRS scientists explore the molecular details of the interaction of microbial molecules with the host immune system and the molecular mechanisms of killing the tubercle bacillus in humans. TBRS has strong research collaborations with clinical groups in Cape Town, South Africa, and has cooperative research arrangements to produce new TB drugs with Glaxo Wellcome, UK, and Smith Kline Beecham Pharmaceuticals among others.
Eosinophils are the most poorly understood of the pro-inflammatory leukocytes.
We have recently developed a novel mouse model using a related virus that naturally infects rodent populations, and we are actively pursuing these and other hypotheses. The results of these studies have suggested several immunomodulatory mechanisms that may serve as novel therapies for this clinically important viral infection.