dr. Oren Tzfadia - ITM:
Single nucleotide variation catalogue from clinical isolates mapped on tertiary and quaternary structures of ESX-1–related proteins reveal critical regions as putative Mtb therapeutic targets
dr. Emmanuel Rivière - CellCarta:
Empowering global tuberculosis research: insights from capacity building in Ethiopia
Date: 15/03/2024
Time: 12:00 - 14:00
Location: Campus Middelheim, room G.004
(Middelheimlaan 1, 2020 Antwerp)
Registration: is required and free of charge for researchers affiliated with the University of Antwerp (see red button below).
Single nucleotide variation catalogue from clinical isolates mapped on tertiary and quaternary structures of ESX-1–related proteins reveal critical regions as putative Mtb therapeutic targets
Proteins encoded by the ESX-1 genes of interest are essential for full virulence in all Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (Mtbc) lineages, the pathogens causing the highest mortality worldwide. Identifying critical regions in these ESX-1–related proteins could provide preventive or therapeutic targets for Mtb infection, the game changer needed for tuberculosis control. We analysed a compendium of whole genome sequences of clinical Mtb isolates from all lineages from >32,000 patients and identified single nucleotide variations (SNVs). When mutations corresponding to all non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (nSNPs) were mapped on structural models of the ESX-1 proteins, fully conserved regions emerged. Some could be assigned to known quaternary structures, whereas others could be predicted to be involved in yet-to-be-discovered interactions. Some mutants had clonally expanded (found in >1% of the isolates): these mutants were mostly located at the surface of globular domains, remote from known intra- and inter-molecular protein–protein interactions. Fully conserved intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) of proteins were found, suggesting that these regions are crucial for the pathogenicity of the Mtbc. Altogether, our findings highlight fully conserved regions of proteins as attractive vaccine antigens and drug targets to control Mtb virulence. Extending this approach to the whole Mtb genome as well as other microorganisms will enhance vaccine development for various pathogens.
Empowering global tuberculosis research: insights from capacity building in Ethiopia
Tuberculosis research is disproportionately driven by researchers and institutions from high income, low TB burden countries. Researchers at reference laboratories and universities in high TB burden countries are well positioned to play a central role in TB research. Unfortunately, most high burden countries face important challenges regarding the implementation of key technologies, such as WGS, in both the research and clinical setting. In this talk I will highlight the lessons learned and the successes from 3 capacity building initiatives all funded by VLIR-UOS:
The Biomina Lunch Talks are an initiative of a number of young researchers in the biomina network and is sponsored by the Flemish Government.
We aim to stimulate the interaction between researchers from different disciplines who encounter bioinformatics and computational biology, and consequently we focus on a broad and multidisciplinary public. With this informal medium we would like to provide a platform where knowledge and experience can be presented and exchanged, across partners from both academia and industry.
In this manner we have had the pleasure to welcome speakers from various institutes such as the University of Antwerp, the Institute of Tropical Medicine, Janssen Pharmaceutica, the Antwerp University Hospital and Open Analytics.
Last but not least, these sessions can provide a great opportunity for young researchers to acquaint themselves with new ideas and methods in the field of bioinformatics and medical informatics.
Are you interested in giving a talk yourself? Let us know!
