Genetic and functional mechanisms of susceptibility to mycobacterial infection

Sergey is studying human genes involved in resistance to infection. Mutations in such genes may lead to immunodeficiencies and predispose to infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis. Discovery of these genes helps to uncover novel biological pathways that mediate immune responses and may suggest new targets for intervention. Sergey and his group use methods of human genetics, including genome-wide association studies, exome- and whole-genome sequencing, in vitro models of infection, and methods of molecular biology to understand underlying immune mechanisms protecting from infection.