Michael R. Chase

This study uses whole genome sequencing of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in non-human primates to identify distinct mutational trajectories in SIV-co-infected and ART-treated animals, revealing differential immune pressures and mutation patterns.

The study shows that prior Mtb infection protects against reinfection with a genetically distinct strain in macaques, suggesting broad vaccine efficacy across Mtb lineages.

The paper shows that CD4 T cells and innate CD8+ lymphocytes are essential for IV BCG-induced protection against tuberculosis in macaques.

This study defines the role of RNase E in mRNA degradation in Mycolicibacterium smegmatis, showing it limits degradation of 89% of protein-coding genes and has distinct sequence preferences compared to gram-negative bacteria.