Diagnostic and Translational Molecular Approaches for Leprosy
Summary of Research
In the laboratory, we develop and implement molecular diagnostic tools to improve the detection, characterization, and clinical management of leprosy. Our work includes the development and validation of sensitive, field-friendly qPCR assays for the detection of Mycobacterium leprae and Mycobacterium lepromatosis, enabling reliable diagnosis in both clinical and low-resource settings. We also perform routine molecular screening for drug resistance in M. leprae, supporting surveillance efforts and informing patient treatment strategies. In parallel, we are developing innovative molecular approaches to assess M. leprae viability directly in clinical samples, with the aim of replacing or substantially reducing reliance on animal models. Together, these diagnostic and viability tools are leveraged to evaluate treatment efficacy and to support the rational development and optimization of new therapeutic regimens.