Mycobacterium tuberculosis is an infectious bacterium causing human tuberculosis. By studying its close relative Mycobacterium smegmatis, we aim to identify and manipulate phages and mutants of phages that can efficiently lyse and kill mycobacteria. M. smegmatis shares many similar characteristics to M. tuberculosis, but is a fast grower and a safe model organism.
We aim to create a cocktail of phages the can successfully lyse cultures of M. smegmatis and M. tuberculosis without regrowth of phage resistant derivatives. Our goal is to identify a combination of phages suitable for therapy of M. tuberculosis infections.
Megan is from Buffalo, New York studying Microbiology at the University of Pittsburgh as part of the Class of 2017.
Megan can be contacted at:
Department of Biological Sciences
4249 5th Avenue
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
(412) 624 6976
mcu7@pitt.edu