Fundamental and therapeutic insights into tuberculosis from the zebrafish and its application to humans

Lalita studies the pathogenesis of tuberculosis, primarily using the zebrafish model that she and her colleagues have developed. The zebrafish’s optical transparency and genetic tractability allow for the stepwise dissection of pathogenesis. Her research has revealed surprising new insights into pathogenesis that have potential therapeutic implications. She aims to continue to identify and characterise host determinants that alter the outcome of infection, using both forward and reverse genetic approaches. The goal of this work is to identify therapeutic targets for tuberculosis.