Ragon Institute

Lab Overview

The Barczak lab studies mycobacteria (Mtb), the pathogen that causes tuberculosis. TB is one of the leading causes of death globally, and the bacteria employs a number of different strategies to evade and avoid the immune system. The lab seeks to understand the molecular pathogenesis and immune response in TB and apply this information to efforts to develop novel treatments and preventions.

The Barczak lab seeks to explore the knowledge gap between the minimalist systems used to study infection and the physiologic response to a biochemically complex pathogen, such as Mtb, recognized at distinct subcellular sites over the course of infection. Using genetic and microscopic approaches with cellular and murine models of infection, we are interested in elucidating the strategies used by Mtb to restrict activation of innate immune pathways. Finally, we are interested in applying the knowledge gained in studies of molecular pathogenesis to the development of new strategies for treating and preventing TB.