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FUGE-Funksjonell genomforskn.i Norg

Proteomic and bioinformatic studies of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Awarded: NOK 6.2 mill.

Project Number:

175141

Application Type:

Project Period:

2006 - 2010

Location:

Subject Fields:

Tuberculosis (TB) is a major communicable disease linked to poverty with a substantial death toll of about 2 million cases annually. Research is needed to develop novel diagnostic tools, novel preventive measures such as vaccines and novel antibiotics. To do so it is of paramount importance to know the basic features of the causative organism, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, its genome and the expressed proteins and functions of these proteins. Based on already ongoing projects, we are currently about to obta in a considerably more comprehensive picture of the repertoire of exported proteins of M. tuberculosis. We consider this to be a major breakthrough in the field. This work is mainly based on collaboration between the Gade Institute, the Bioinformatics (CB U) and the Proteomics (PROBE) FUGE platforms in Bergen. Bioinformatic characterization of available genomic sequences of M. tuberculosis will be performed to overcome the shortcomings of the current annotations which subsequently provide a basis for the p roteomic characterization of M. tuberculosis. We will refine methods for genomic characterization and annotation of proteins. We will also refine our proteomic studies by investigating posttranslational modifications of proteins. Finally, with the exporte d proteome in hand, we will extend our current activities to investigate host-pathogen protein-protein interactions in general and more specifically, the phenomenon of M. tuberculosis specific inhibition of apoptosis with the ultimate aim to reveal the pa thogen and host factors being involved.

Funding scheme:

FUGE-Funksjonell genomforskn.i Norg