Date: June 25–26, 2025
Format: Virtual
Organized by: Impact Research Communications
Conference Chair: Dr. Sanjib Bhakta, Birkbeck, University of London, UK
The Frontiers in TB & Mycobacteriology symposium brought together a global network of researchers, clinicians, and innovators to explore the molecular, clinical, and translational dimensions of tuberculosis (TB). Over two days, the symposium featured 20+ presentations spanning drug resistance, host-pathogen interactions, vaccine development, diagnostics, and antimicrobial stewardship—each contributing to the urgent mission of ending TB.
Session Chair: Dr. Sanjib Bhakta
Dr. Vinay Kumar Nandicoori (CSIR-CCMB, Hyderabad) opened the scientific program with a compelling exploration of drug resistance evolution in mycobacteria. His team’s work revealed how mutations in transcriptional regulators and efflux pumps, particularly in the WhiB family and MmpL transporters, contribute to phenotypic resistance. He emphasized the role of redox homeostasis and cell wall remodeling in shaping drug tolerance, and advocated for integrating genomic surveillance with therapeutic design.
Dr. Galina Mukamolova (University of Leicester) followed with her investigation into Mycobacterium tuberculosis persisters, focusing on differentially culturable (DC) bacilli. These cells evade standard detection and require resuscitating factors (Rpf proteins) to grow. Her group demonstrated that drug treatment increases DC populations and that their presence correlates with poor treatment outcomes. She proposed that targeting resuscitation pathways could improve sterilization and reduce relapse rates.
Dr. Raju Mukherjee (IISER Tirupati) presented a systems-level analysis of energy and glycogen metabolism in Mtb, identifying key enzymes such as GlgB and GlgX involved in glycogen branching and degradation. His fluxomics and proteomics data revealed that antibiotic stress induces metabolic rewiring, leading to ROS accumulation and vulnerability in ATP synthesis pathways. These insights suggest that targeting energy homeostasis could enhance drug efficacy and prevent tolerance.
Dr. Ramandeep Singh (THSTI, Faridabad) discussed the role of inorganic polyphosphate (polyP) homeostasis in Mtb pathophysiology. His team showed that polyP accumulation supports bacterial persistence and virulence. They identified small molecule inhibitors of PPK-1 that synergize with frontline drugs and demonstrated vaccine potential in guinea pig models. His work bridges therapeutic and preventive strategies targeting polyP metabolism.
After a brief discussion and break, the second session began under the guidance of Dr. Hedia Marrakchi.
Dr. Joel Freundlich (Rutgers NJ Medical School) shared his team’s progress on KasA inhibitors, focusing on JSF-3285—a compound with potent activity against Mtb in murine models. His structure-guided design approach continues to yield second-generation molecules with improved pharmacokinetics and efficacy. He emphasized the importance of targeting fatty acid biosynthesis as a validated pathway for TB drug development.
Dr. Ruben Hartkoorn (INSERM, France) introduced TriSLa, a tricyclic spirolactam scaffold that inhibits NADH dehydrogenase. His medicinal chemistry optimization led to nanomolar potency and strong in vivo efficacy in zebrafish and mouse models. TriSLa represents a promising new class of anti-TB agents with potential to overcome resistance and penetrate granulomatous lesions.
Dr. Vinayak Singh (University of Cape Town) presented a novel approach to disrupting alanine biosynthesis, targeting the AspC enzyme. His compound showed potent in vitro activity and synergized with D-cycloserine. He highlighted alanine metabolism as a metabolic bottleneck during intracellular survival, offering a new therapeutic strategy against drug-resistant TB.
Dr. Matthew Champion (University of Notre Dame) closed the session with a presentation on bioanalytical chemistry tools for decoding mycobacterial systems. His team’s work in proteomics and capillary electrophoresis enables high-resolution analysis of microbial complexity, including amino acid substitutions and micro-proteomes. These tools are now being applied to study host-pathogen interactions, phage biology, and post-translational modifications in Mtb.
Following another discussion and break, the final session of the day was chaired by Dr. Sam Willcocks.
Dr. Selvakumar Subbian (Rutgers) introduced a recombinant BCG vaccine engineered to express immune-dominant Mtb antigens. In rabbit models of cavitary TB, the vaccine showed reduced persistence and strong immune activation. His data support its advancement toward clinical trials, especially for immunocompromised populations. He emphasized the importance of balancing attenuation with immunogenicity.
Dr. Deepak Kaushal (Texas Biomedical Research Institute) presented findings on Delta-sigH mutant vaccine candidates tested in macaques. These attenuated strains induced robust T cell responses and iBALT formation, correlating with protection. His team is now evaluating double and triple knockouts for safety and durability, aligning with the Geneva consensus on live Mtb vaccines.
Dr. Ashley R. Wolf (UC Berkeley) shared results from the END Childhood TB Study, using shotgun metagenomics on stool samples to detect Mtb. Her team also identified microbiome signatures that distinguish TB-positive children, offering a non-sputum diagnostic pathway for pediatric TB. She emphasized the need for scalable, child-friendly diagnostics in high-burden settings.
Dr. Cynthia Amaning Danquah (KNUST, Ghana) concluded the day with her work on natural product discovery, investigating herbs and spices such as garlic and cloves for anti-TB activity. Using MS, NMR, and bioassays, her team identified bioactive compounds that inhibit Mtb growth and modulate host immunity. Her work supports the integration of ethnobotany into antimicrobial d iscovery pipelines.
Dr. Bhakta returned to offer concluding remarks, reflecting on the day’s rich exchange and the urgent need for interdisciplinary collaboration.
Session Chair: Dr. Tiago Beites
Dr. Sanjib Bhakta opened the second day with a presentation on TB, AMR, and the antibiotic apocalypse. He introduced the modified HT-SPOTi assay—a high-throughput platform for evaluating natural products and drug combinations. His team’s work enables rapid screening of synergistic interactions and resistance-breaking compounds, accelerating the discovery of effective anti-TB agents.
Dr. Robert Wallis (Aurum Institute, South Africa) discussed host-directed therapies to prevent post-TB lung disease, focusing on immune modulation strategies that reduce tissue damage and improve bacterial clearance. He reviewed clinical trials involving corticosteroids, statins, and immunomodulators, advocating for their integration into TB treatment regimens.
Dr. Jan Rybniker (University of Cologne) explored the role of inflammasomes in TB infection. These intracellular complexes trigger pyroptosis and cytokine release, contributing to both protective immunity and pathology. His group identified NLRP3 and AIM2 as key sensors activated by Mtb, and proposed inflammasome modulation as a therapeutic strategy.
Dr. Seyed Hasnain (IIT Delhi & Sharda University) presented a genomic analysis of the PE-PPE_PGRS gene family, revealing its role in virulence, immune evasion, and drug resistance. His MycoVarP pipeline identified significant SNPs across thousands of global isolates, suggesting that these genes may serve as vaccine candidates and markers of pathogenicity.
After a short discussion and break, the next session was chaired by Dr. Ankita Nag.
Dr. Tiago Beites (University of Porto) examined Mtb’s adaptation to lipid-rich environments, identifying 38 genes in the LCFA resistome. His top hit, rv1636, was essential for lipid metabolism and survival during chronic infection. He emphasized the importance of metabolic plasticity in Mtb persistence and proposed targeting lipid utilization pathways.
Dr. Pierre Santucci (CNRS, France) addressed the context-dependent efficacy of pyrazinamide (PZA). His data supported a pH-driven mechanism of action, showing that PZA acidifies the Mtb cytosol independently of PanD and CoA biosynthesis. He resolved longstanding debates and proposed new directions for optimizing PZA-based regimens.
Dr. Sam Willcocks (Brunel University) explored drug repurposing for MDR-TB, screening the ReFRAME library for compounds with conserved activity across mycobacterial species. His RNAseq studies revealed mechanisms of action and promising drug-drug interactions, including synergy with bedaquiline and linezolid.
Dr. Federico Brucoli (De Montfort University) concluded the symposium with a presentation on strategies to combat AMR in pathogenic mycobacteria, focusing on iron acquisition and MbtA inhibition. His medicinal chemistry efforts yielded scaffolds that inhibit Mtb growth and disrupt siderophore biosynthesis, offering new directions for drug development.
Dr. Bhakta returned to deliver closing remarks, thanking speakers and participants for their contributions and reaffirming the importance of global collaboration in the fight against TB.
The Frontiers in TB & Mycobacteriology symposium showcased the depth and urgency of TB research. From molecular diagnostics and vaccine breakthroughs to host-directed therapies and natural product discovery, the event highlighted the global commitment to ending TB through science, innovation, and collaboration. As the world strives toward the UN SDG goal of eliminating TB by 2030, the insights and partnerships forged during this symposium will help shape the future of TB control and care.
Bangladesh, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Iran, Korea, KUMASI, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, United Kingdom, United States