Dr. Suman Laal

Biography

Suman Laal is a Research Professor in the Department of Pathology specializing in the pathogenesis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in humans. Laal's research focuses on understanding the versatile capabilities of M. tuberculosis to adapt to various environments. His studies provide evidence that M. tuberculosis alters the profile of antigenic proteins expressed in vivo during the stages of disease progression. Gaining insights into host-pathogen interactions and the immune events that occur early in the stages post-infection is essential for designing rational intervention strategies against tuberculosis (TB). Current laboratory interests include understanding the M. tuberculosis-host interaction, which has been investigated using animal models of TB. Laal has identified novel proteins expressed by M. tuberculosis during the early weeks post-infection. These proteins exhibit characteristics such as being surface or secreted proteins with structural similarities to those involved in binding, adhesion, and invasion of bacteria. His ongoing studies aim to define the role of these proteins in their interaction with host cells and the subsequent elicitation of cellular and humoral immune responses. This research will provide important insights into the host-pathogen interaction during infection, and the identified proteins may serve as candidates for developing vaccines and/or surrogate markers for identifying individuals with active or pre-clinical infection of M. tuberculosis.

Research Interests