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Tuberculosis Research Group

Tuberculosis (TB), one of the oldest known human diseases, is still one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality globally. Over 90% of TB cases occur in low- and middle-income countries that have fragile healthcare infrastructures and constrained resources.

Tehmina Mustafa and colleagues Zanzibar lab
Photo:
Tehmina Mustafa

Main content

The only currently available vaccine for TB was developed about a century ago. TB treatment is long-term and multi-drug resistance is an emerging threat. There is a great need to develop better preventive, diagnostic, and therapeutic tools to curb the epidemic.

Our main research topics are:

  • Pathogenesis of human Post-Primary TB (by using the human archival tissue material of the pre-antibiotic era) to generate knowledge base for better vaccines and host-directed therapies
  • Development of better diagnostic tests
  • Feasibility of implementation of new diagnostic test/s in routine health system settings
  • Development of better biomarkers for measurement of therapeutic response
  • Disease transmission and infection risk
  • Association between Tuberculosis and Obstructive Lung Diseases and Allergies

 

Current Projects

  • Better health through partnership in higher education and bilateral student mobility: Collaboration between Pakistan and Norway (NORPART)
  • Pathogenesis of human Post-Primary Tuberculosis: Novel insights from Norwegian archival tissue material of the pre-antibiotic era
  • Risk of infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis in a low tuberculosis prevalence setting
  • Association between tuberculosis and obstructive lung diseases and allergies
  • Biomarkers in tuberculosis: implications for improved diagnosis, monitoring treatment response, and host-directed therapies
  • Proteomic and bioinformatic studies of the host therapeutic response to tuberculosis treatment
  • Improving diagnosis of extrapulmonary tuberculosis by implementation of a sensitive and specific assay in routine tuberculosis diagnostics
  • DATURA (EDCTP project in 5 African and 2 Asian countries)

Previous Projects

  • Localization and characterization of dormant bacilli and host response in chronic tuberculosis and immune evasion strategies of mycobacteria
  • Development of new diagnostic test for extrapulmonary tuberculosis

 

 

DOTS unit
Photo:
Tehmina Mustafa

This picture is taken of the group's collaborating partner/institution in TB research in Pakistancollaborating partner/institution in TB research in Pakistan, the Tuberculosis DOTS unit at the Gulab Devi Chest Hospital Research Cell.