Welcome to the Molecular Mycobacteriology Laboratory!

Led by Professor Riccardo Manganelli, our laboratory at the University of Padova is at the cutting edge of microbiology research, with a primary focus on Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of tuberculosis.

Our Research

At the Molecular Mycobacteriology Lab, we study the complex world of M. tuberculosis. Our investigations center on the sophisticated regulatory networks governing this bacterium's adaptation to various environments, especially during host infection and drug treatment. We're particularly intrigued by how these adaptations can lead to the development of highly drug-resistant bacterial subpopulations. Our ultimate goal is to uncover new potential drug targets and contribute to the development of novel therapeutic strategies against tuberculosis.

Key Areas of Study

1. Gene Regulation in M. tuberculosis: We place special emphasis on sigma factors and other transcriptional regulators, unraveling the intricate web of genetic control.
2. Stress Response Mechanisms: Our work aims at understanding how these responses lead to the emergence of bacterial subpopulations with high drug resistance.
3. Host-Pathogen Interactions: We're dedicated to characterizing virulence genes to better understand how M. tuberculosis interacts with its host.
4. Drug Discovery Methods: We've recently developed an innovative granuloma-like structure model for evaluating new drugs and drug combinations, pushing the boundaries of tuberculosis treatment research.
5. Molecular Tool Development: We're constantly working on creating new tools to manipulate the mycobacterial genome, enhancing our ability to study these complex organisms.

Our Approach

To tackle these challenging areas, our team employs a range of cutting-edge techniques:

• Transcriptomics: to understand gene expression patterns on a global scale
• Genetic Manipulation of Mycobacteria: allowing us to probe gene function with precision
• In Vitro Infection Models: providing crucial insights into host-pathogen interactions

Through our multifaceted research approach, we strive to make significant contributions to the global fight against tuberculosis and advance our understanding of bacterial pathogenesis.

 

 

SigE regulatory network        

 

Granuloma-Like Structures, M. tuberculosis

                  

AR staining, M. tuberculosis                               Aerial biofilm, M. tuberculosis

Main collaborators

• Prof. Giovanni Delogu, Università degli Studi di Parma, Parma
• Prof. Maria Rosalia Pasca, Università degli Studi di Pavia, Pavia
• Dr. Daniela Cirillo and Dr. Paolo Miotto, Ospedale San Raffaele, Milano
• Dr. Santiago Ramón García, ARAID, Zaragoza (Spain)
• Prof. Michelle Frazão Muzitano, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)
• Dr. Enrico Mastrostefano, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Roma
• Prof. Noelia Alonso Rodriguez, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo (Norway)
• Dr. Rogelio Hernandez Pando, National Institute of Medical Sciences and Nutrition “Salvador Zubirán”, Mexico City (Mexico)
• Hedia Marrakchi, IPBS, Tolouse (France)

The team

 

Prof. Riccardo Manganelli (ORCID 0000-0003-0940-7336)

Throughout his career, Prof. Manganelli has primarily focused on bacterial genetics and the global regulation of gene expression. His early work centered on the conjugative transposons of Gram-positive bacteria, exploring their biotechnological applications. A pivotal period from 1995 to 2000 saw him conducting research in the United States, first in North Carolina and then in New York. It was during his time in New York that Prof. Manganelli's focus shifted to M. tuberculosis, particularly exploring the intricate relationship between virulence and global transcription regulation.

 

Prof. Roberta Provvedi (ORCID 0000-0003-1164-9676)

Prof. Provvedi specializes in bacterial genetics and gene expression regulation. She studied natural transformation in Bacillus subtilis in the lab of Dr. Dave Dubnau in New York (1995-2000). In Padova, she focused on mycobacterial genetics, particularly on M. tuberculosis. Her research includes virulence and transcription regulation, with emphasis on sigma factors like SigE. Current projects involve characterizing the LysX2 membrane protein and studying G-quadruplex structures in M. tuberculosis, collaborating with institutes in Toulouse and Mexico City.

 

 Prof. Francesca Boldrin (ORCID 0000-0002-8310-9532)

Prof. Boldrin’s main research interests lie in the field of mycobacterial genetics and antitubercular drug discovery. She has developed several genetic tools to manipulate the mycobacterial genome and played a crucial role in large European initiatives aimed at developing new antitubercular compounds. Currently, Prof. Boldrin is engaged in an intensive collaboration with Prof. Frazão Muzitano at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, to identify and characterize natural products and their synthetic derivatives as potential anti-tubercular   agents.