Abstract
Due to the specific characteristics of mycobacteria, diseases such as tuberculosis (TB) and leprosy are
associated with numerous challenges in their diagnosis and associated research. Culture of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a lengthy process, while M. leprae cannot be cultured on artificial medium
at all1. Culture-free solutions are thus a necessity for diagnosis and to gain insights in M. leprae diversity.
Such analyses are pertinent to better understand why M. leprae remains hyperendemic in the Comoros
and other foci worldwide2, by understanding chains of transmission and drug resistance associated
polymorphisms. Indeed, developments in the field of direct-on-biopsy whole genome sequencing (WGS)
and associated techniques are further advanced for M. leprae compared to M. tuberculosis. Specifically,
this study aims to implement recent advances in RNA bait capture of M. leprae DNA that suggest a more
sensitive and cheaper approach to WGS3. The expertise and experience gained will in turn be applicable
to direct-on-sputum WGS of M. tuberculosis.
Researcher(s)
Research team(s)
Project type(s)