Networking

Networking

Existing networks and linkages
Both nodes of the CBTBR are involved in wide collaborative networks that involve TB researchers and research institutions in a large number of countries. Maintaining existing collaborative networks and developing new linkages is of critical importance to the CBTBR. For this reason, members continued to devote significant time and effort to networking.

New networks and linkages
The Wits node was invited to participant in a 24-member consortium of research teams from Europe, South Korea, India and South Africa, led by Prof. Stewart Cole (EPFL, Switzerland) that applied for funding for a TB drug discovery project under the EU FP7 program. If successful, this grant will commence in January 2011 and will sport activities in the Wits node for 4 years.

NAME	INSTITUTION	NATURE/ PURPOSE, OUTPUTS AND FUTURE DIRECTION OF COLLABORATION
Prof. John D. McKinney	École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland	Collaboration on the mechanisms of propionate catabolism, co-author on a manuscript published in 2008 and joint awardee (with Prof. Mizrahi) on a three-year grant from Swiss/ SA Joint Research Programme. Dr. Warner visited Prof. McKinney’s lab in July to discuss the collaborative research project.
Dr. Clifton E. Barry III and Dr. Helena Boshoff	Tuberculosis Research Section, Laboratory of Host Defenses, National Institute of Allergy & Infectious Diseases, NIH, Rockville, MD	Collaborating members of the “IM TB” Consortium funded through SBRI. Hosted Dr. Garth Abrahams during his 4-month working visit to the NIAID in 2009.
Prof. Gilla Kaplan	Public Health Research Institute, International Center for Public Health, Newark, NJ	Ongoing collaboration in the area of in vivo phenotyping of mutant strains of M. tuberculosis. Profs Kaplan & Mizrahi Jointly run the TB Basic Sciences component of the CU-SA Fogarty AITRP. Visited the Wits node in October 2009
Prof. Česlovas Venclovas	Institute of Biotechnology, Vilnius, Lithuania	New collaboration on the structure and function of a novel mutagenic complex in mycobacteria. Spent a week in the Wits node in March 2009 to further the collaboration with Dr. Warner and Ms. Ndwandwe
Prof. Heini Dirr	University of the Witwatersrand	New collaboration on the expression and structure determination of members of a novel mutagenic complex in mycobacteria
Dr. Deborah Hung	Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Boston, USA	Collaborating member of the “IM TB” Consortium funded through the SBRI. Also collaborating on the characterization of Rpf-deficient mutants of M. tuberculosis
Prof. Eric Rubin	Microbiology and Immunology, Harvard Medical School, USA	Collaborating member of the “IM TB” Consortium funded through SBRI. Visited the MRU in November 2009. Will co-host Ms. Ndwandwe during her Fogarty training fellowship in 2010
Prof. David Sherman	Seattle Biomedical Research Institute, USA	PI of the “IM TB” Consortium funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Prof. James Sacchettini and Dr. Tom Ioerger	Biochemistry and Biophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX	Collaborating members of the “IM TB” Consortium funded through the SBRI. Also collaborating on whole-genome sequence analysis of strains of M. tuberculosis.
Prof. Sir Tom Blundell and Prof. Chris Abell	Cambridge University, UK	Collaborating members of the “IM TB” Consortium funded through the SBRI
Prof. Jean Content	Institut Pasteur Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium	Collaboration on genome duplication in M. smegmatis resulted in co-authored publication in 2006
Dr. Chris Sassetti	University of Massachusetts, USA	Collaborating member of the “IM TB” Consortium funded through the SBRI
Prof. Tanya Parish	Barts and the London, UK & Infectious Diseases Research Institute (IDRI), Seattle, USA	Collaborating member of the “IM TB” Consortium funded through the SBRI
Prof. Stewart Cole	EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland	PI of the More Medicines for Tuberculosis (MM4TB) Consortium, which has applied for funding under the EU FP7 framework
Prof. Vickery Arcus	AgResearch, University of Waikato, New Zealand	Collaboration on the role of VapBC toxin-antitoxin modules in the physiology of M. tuberculosis
Prof. Gregory Cook	University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand	Collaboration on the role of VapBC toxin-antitoxin modules in the physiology of M. tuberculosis
Prof. Petros Karakousis	Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore	New collaboration on nucleotide pool determination in mycobacteria. Will host Dr. Cliff Magwira in 2010 for short-term training fellowship
Dr. S. Sampson	Imperial College, UK	The evolution and function of the PE and PPE gene families (2001-present) & the ESAT-6 secretion system interactome (2007- present).
Dr. H. Mardassi, Mr. A. Karboul and Mr. A. Namouchi	Institut Pasteur, Tunisia	Characterization of M. tuberculosis lineages through the PE/PPE gene family (2002 - present)
Dr. W. Bitter and Mr A. Abdallah	Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, Netherlands	The trafficking of the M. tuberculosis PE and PPE proteins (2006 – present).
Dr. John Ho	Cornell University, New York, USA	Characterization of M. tuberculosis lineages through the PE/PPE gene family (2007 - present).
Prof. J. Ho, Dr. A. Gibson and Prof. R. Huard	Cornell University, New York, USA	The dissemination of the major RDRio sub-lineage of the LAM M. tuberculosis spoligotype family in Luso-American countries, Portugal and Africa
Dr. H. Mardassi	Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunisia	Characterisation of LAM evolutionary history (2007-present).
Prof. A. Steyn	University of Alabama, Birmingham, USA	The ESAT-6 secretion system interactome (2007- present).
Prof. VPMG Rutten, Dr. I van Rhijn, Dr. AP Koets	Utrecht University	Non-tuberculous mycobacteria in wildlife (WOTRO Integrated program proposal) (2007).
Dr. R Anthony	KIT The Netherlands	MLPA assay for the detection of ofloxacin resistance
Prof D van Soolingen	RIVM The Netherlands	Evolution of the Beijing genotype Lineage
Dr. Kristin Kremer	RIVM The Netherlands	Whole genome sequencing of Beijing genotype strains
Dr. V Dartois	Novatis Singapore	MassArray detection of mutations conferring drug resistance
Prof. E Bottger	University of Zurich	Development and evaluation of novel genetic based diagnostics for drug resistance.
Prof. E Nardell	AIR facility, Witbank	Transmissibility of drug resistant TB
Prof. Sturm	UKZN and LifeLab	Whole genome sequencing and development of a genetic based diagnostic for second-line drug resistance
Prof. Erwin Schurr	McGill University, Montreal, Canada	Genetic epidemiology. Poster outputs; 4 papers published 2009-2010.
Prof Laurent Abel & Alexandre Alcais	INSERM / Université Paris 5, France	Analysis of genetic epidemiology. Poster outputs; 4 papers published 2009-2010.
Dr. Iris Grossman	GlaxoSmithKline, NC, USA	Genetic susceptibility to TB.
Dr. Alkes Price	Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, USA	New collaboration. Analysis of admixture mapping.
Dr. Ingileif Jonsdottir	decode, Iceland	Genetic susceptibility to TB.
Dr. Lluis Quintana-Murci	Institut Pasteur, Paris, France	Genetic susceptibility to TB and population structure. Paper expected 2010.
Prof. Stefan Schreiber and Dr. Almut Nebel	Christian Albrechts University, Kiel, Germany	Investigation of candidate genes in TB. Resulted in 2 co-authored publications in 2007, and 2 co-authored publications in 2009
Prof .Megan Murray	Harvard / Broad institute	Various project including the evolution of XDR-TB strains; other mechanisms of drug resistance (in addition to genomic mutations); mechanisms of resistance to 2nd line drugs; strain fitness; certain strain families may have both increased fitness and increased potential for acquiring drug resistance. All of these projects involve whole-genome sequencing, proteomics, and microarray. Prof. Murray is directly involved in project planning, paper writing, funding proposals (NIH and Wellcome trust).
Dr. Judit Nagy	Imperial College London	Proteomics of large clusters (more transmitted) vs. small clusters (less transmitted) in the same strain family after other criteria to select isolates have been taken into consideration. The aim is to identify proteins that are differentially expressed in the same strain family which may give them an advantage to transmit better.
Prof. Harald Wiker	Bergen University, Norway	Ongoing collaboration on the M. tuberculosis phosphorylome. New collaboration on the detection of drug resistance by single run multi-locus sequencing. New collaboration on the M. tuberculosis secretome.
Dr. Hernandez Pando Rogelio	National University of Mexico	Test different drug resistant strains (MDR / XDR) in a mouse model for strain fitness/virulence. The isolates are the same as described above and will compliment the data obtained by molecular investigations.
Dr. Cheryl McDermott	MSF	New collaboration on drug resistance in Khayelitsha, Western Cape.
Prof. Tom Alber	Berkeley	New collaboration on the M. tuberculosis lipidome.
Prof. Brigitte Gicquel	Pasteur Institute	New collaboration on mutation in M. tuberculosis DNA repair genes.
Prof. Kathy Eisenach	Arkansas, USA	Mechanisms of strain fitness in an in vitro THP-1 cell line model. Project is in planning phase.
Prof. Stefan Kaufmann	Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, Berlin, Germany	Collaborators on BMGF-funded project.
Prof. Henry Boom	Cleveland, Ohio, US	Collaborators on BMGF-funded project.
Prof. Hazel Dockrell	London School for Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK	Collaborators on BMGF-funded project, Co-applicants on grant application to BMGF.
Dr. Mark Doherty	Statens Serum Institute, Kopenhagen, Denmark	Collaborator on BMGF-funded project, collaborators on NIH-sponsored study
Dr. Martin Ota	MRC, The Gambia	Collaborators on BMGF-funded project.
Prof. Harriet Mayanja	Makarere University, Uganda	Collaborators on BMGF-funded project.
Prof. Ronnie Anderson & Dr. Caroline Cholo	MRC/ UP Unit on Inflammation & Immunity, University of Pretoria	Collaboration on the role of potassium transport in mode of action of anti-tubercular action of riminophenazines.
Prof N. Beyers, Dr A. Hesseling, Dr S. Tonkin, Prof B. Marais	SU	Non-tuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) - Prevalence and Clinical relevance in HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected children (2006 - present).
Prof. N. Beyers	DTTC, SU	Ongoing collaboration of the molecular epidemiology of M. tuberculosis in the W. Cape.
Dr. A. Michel, J. Godfroid, K. Coetzer & N. Kriek	Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute	Non-tuberculous mycobacteria in wildlife (WOTRO Integrated program proposal) (2007 - present).
Prof. L. Dicks	Microbiology, SU	Bacteriocins as a possible method to treat M. tuberculosis infection (2007-present). One publication in J. Appl. Microbiol. 2007.
Prof. S. Mehtar	Unit for Infection Control, Tygerberg Hospital	The anti microbial activity of copper and copper alloys against nosocomial pathogens and M. tuberculosis isolated from healthcare facilities in the Western Cape– an in-vitro study. One publication in J. Hosp. Inf. 2008.
Prof. Kelly Chibale	Dept Chemistry University of Cape Town	Screen antituberculosis lead compounds
Dr Thavi Govender	Dept. Chemistry, UKZN	Test antituberculosis activity of existing antituberculosis drug derivatives. K. Onajole 2009
Prof Green	Dept Chemistry, UWC	Screen new compounds and derivatives for antituberculosis activity
Dr. S. Todorov	Univ. Sao Paulo, Brazil	Antituberculosis activity of Bacteriocins (Todorov, 2008)
Dr C. Kenyon	CSIR, Pretoria	Dormancy regulators of M.tb in human macrophages.
Dr. Haynes	Hong Kong University of Technology	Testing new compounds for antituberculosis activity
Prof Peter Folb	Pharmacology, UCT	Testing derivatives of Diphenyl Oxazole for antituberculosis activity
Ms. Marlein Bosman	NHLS , Green point	Collaborator on all our projects – provides routine samples.
Dr. Sias May	TB Control program in Suidkaap/ Lawwaaikamp	TB Control strategy.
Dr. Danie Theron	Eben donges Hosp, Worcester	New project on DOTS program on farms.
Dr Else Marais	Wits/NHLS	Ongoing collaboration on the molecular epidemiology of drug resistant TB in Gauteng.
Prof C. Reinecke & Dr du Toit Loots	North West University	New collaboration on the M.tuberculosis metabolome.
Prof C Wright	NHLS Tygerberg	The diagnostic utility of FNAB
Dr. Alistair Calver	Gold Mine in Northern province	Ongoing, outbreak of drug resistance in a setting with a good control program.
Prof. Willem Hanekom	IIDMM, UCT	Sharing of technology (multicolour FACS, Luminex machine), sharing of samples, manuscript accepted for publication.
Prof. Frank Brombacher	IIDMM, UCT	Sharing of expertise (murine helminth models).
Dr A. Hesseling	SU	New collaboration to investigate genotype-immunological phenotype correlations in children.
Dr Cahal Seioghe, and team	NBN node, Cape Town	New collaboration. Analysis of whole-genome sequence data.
Mrs. Lungi Kwitshana	MRC, Durban	Collaboration in project on worm-HIV co-infection.
Prof. Keertan Dheda	Lung Institute, UCT	Collaboration in diagnostic/biomarker project. Molecular epidemiology of XDR-TB
Dr. Anna Mandalakas	Case Western Reserve University, USA	Collaboration of diagnostic studies in paediatric TB.
Dr. Marc Jacobsen	Bernhard Nocht Insitute, Hamburg, Germany	Collaboration on helminth/TB co-infection studies.
Dr Muazzam Jacobs	University of Cape Town	New collaboration to assess the impact of steroid hormones on protective immunity to Mycobacterium tuberculosis in a mouse animal model.

Conference and Workshop Organisation

International TB conference hosted and organised by CBTBR SU node
The Stellenbosch University node held an international TB conference focusing on the Effect of Genetic Variation in Mtb on Vaccine Escape and the Acquisition of Drug Resistance, at Lanzerac wine estate between the 16th and 18th of September 2009. Twenty-four delegates from Europe, Asia, Central and South America and South Africa presented their findings on how Mycobacterium tuberculosis adapts to the selective pressure of antibiotics and vaccines. Ground breaking research was presented concerning the influence of vaccines on the virulence of M. tuberculosis, the possible role of DNA repair genes in the evolution of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the mechanisms whereby M. tuberculosis develops mutations, extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB), novel mechanisms which define the level of drug resistance and whole genome sequencing as the future tool for molecular epidemiology. Prof Rob Warren, Prof Gey van Pittius, Prof Tommie Victor, Dr Chris McEvoy, Dr Madeleine Hanekom, Dr Elizma Streicher and Ms Kim Hoek from the SU node and Dr Digby Warner from the Wits node presented at the meeting.

TB Trials Consortium (TBTC) visit to the CBTBR SU Node
Colleagues from George Washington University, Debra Benator, Fred Gordin and Donna Conwell visited the CBTBR SU node from 24 to 27 February 2009 to work on a joint strategy for a SU application to the CDC-sponsored TB Trials Consortium (TBTC). Professor Benator the director at the Infectious Diseases Clinic at the VA, gave an overview of TBTC trial experiences gained during the past 10 years on 27th February; the lecture was well attended by a broad spectrum of clinicians and researchers.

The TBTC visit was hosted by the CBTBR and the Desmond Tutu TB Centre. This collaborative effort brings together a strong group of adult and paediatric TB and HIV researchers at the faculty in a joint consortium called TB SUN. TB SUN will aim to join larger collaborative TBTC international activities to implement trials of new TB therapies where most needed, including in children.

Networking

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