Research Interests
We are interested in studying the molecular mechanisms of antibiotic resistance. Mycobacterium abscessus, is a rapidly emerging nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) in patients with cystic fibrosis and underlying lung damage is considered an ‘antibiotic nightmare” due to its intrinsic resistance to the majority of FDA approved antibiotics. M. abscessus therefore offers a unique opportunity to explore the potential of drug resistance mechanisms encoded by bacteria. In addition, we are also interested in studying transcriptional networks involving sigma factors and their regulators in mycobacterial physiology.
Specific projects include:
- Systems level understanding of changes that accompany exposure of M. abscessus to antibiotics with a specific focus on the WhiB7-dependent pathway.
- Mechanisms of HflX & ABCF mediated resistance to macrolide-lincosamide antibiotics.
- Mechanisms of HelR mediated resistance to rifamycins.
- Identification of effectors that confer unique profiles of drug resistance.
- Screening of small molecule libraries for inhibitors of identified targets.
- Exploring phage lysins as an alternate therapy for M. abscessus infections.
To learn more about our projects and the people behind them, visit our Research Projects and People page.
Join our lab!
We are looking for motivated Ph.D. students! Projects include the study of antibiotic drug resistance and the mechanisms of gene regulation in non-tuberculous mycobacteria. Lab members and the research projects are supported by the National Institutes of Health.
Feel free to contact Pallavi.ghosh@health.ny.gov for more information about our laboratory.