In the talk titled “Playing Hide and Seek with the Host – How Bacterial Persisters Survive and Thrive in Patients” by Prof Galina Mukamolova, an academic from the University of Leicester, UK, participants were enlightened on host-pathogen interactions and drug discovery. The talk was organised by the Centre for Biomedical and Nutrition Research (CBNR) and the Department of Biological Science, Faculty of Science (FSc), on 8 August 2024 at UTAR Kampar Campus. Prof. Galina Mukamolova was visiting the university in her capacity as the external examiner of the Bachelor of Science (Honours) Microbiology programme.

Present at the talk were FSc Deputy Dean for R&D and Postgraduate Programmes Dr Phoon Lee Quen, FSc Deputy Dean for Student Development and Industrial Training Assoc Prof Dr Sit Nam Weng, CBNR Chairperson Dr Eddy Cheah Seong Guan, Department of Biological Science Head Dr Nor Ismaliza binti Mohd Ismail, staff and participants.

Prof Galina Mukamolova said, “Bacterial pathogens have a remarkable ability to survive in infected patients for decades by adopting a special physiologically distinct dormant state. Dormant bacteria are often difficult to culture in standard media and require special resuscitation in liquid media. Importantly these dormant bacteria are more resistant to treatment and are not easily recognised by the immune system. Persisters promote expansion of antimicrobial resistance which is a global challenge affecting all countries.”

Further elaboration on the topic enabled participants to learn more about molecular mechanisms underpinning the generation of dormant persisters with a main focus on Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), the causative agent of tuberculosis. Insights on novel approaches for targeting persisters and drug discovery aspects were also discussed.

From her research sharing, participants understood that differentially culturable (DC) Mtb persisters are highly abundant in tuberculosis patients, and are induced by nitric oxide and resuscitated by resuscitation-promoting factors (Rpfs). Additionally, protein kinase B (PknB) is an essential serine/threonine kinase that controls the formation and revival of DC Mtb persisters. In addition to conventional antibiotic treatments, these persisters can also be targeted by anti-inflammatory compounds.