C-MAIKI 

My group uses techniques from microbiology, biochemistry, and molecular biology to study molecular pathogenesis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of TB, with special emphasis on regulation of ribosomes during the infection. M. tuberculosis, and many other bacteria, form “alternative” ribosome when zinc is limited. Therefore, bacteria may use changes in zinc availability as a signal to adjust their physiology to specific environments. In particular, morphogenic programs, including cell wall remodeling triggered by zinc depletion may allow bacteria to survive stresses imposed by their host or shifting environments, as seen in pathogenic and non-pathogenic bacteria, respectively.