Host-Infection Network & Translational Research (HINT) Lab
HINT Lab: overcoming critical hurdles in NTM-PD control
At HINT Lab, we are dedicated to addressing the fundamental limitation in controlling Nontuberculous Mycobacteria Pulmonary Disease (NTM-PD) by decipering the complex host-pathogen interaction newtorks. Our research is driven by three critical clinical hurdles:
1. Differential susceptibility and disease progression: Identifying the immunological determinants that dictate why some individuals progress to clinical disease (NTM-PD) while others maintain stable infection or achieve spontaneous clearance.
2. Therapeutic efficacy: Overcoming the limitations of current prolonged antibiotic regimens by enhancing treatment success rates through innovative host-targeting interventions.
3. Long-term protection: Developing strategeis to prevent the high rates of relapse and reinfection, ensuring sustainable clincial recovery.
By translating mechanistic insights into Host-Directed Therapy (HDT), we strive to provide next-generation solutions for the effective control of NTM-PD.
Experimental Approach
To address the critical hurdles in NTM-PD, our lab employs a multidisciplinary experimental framework:
1. Establishment of clinically reflective mouse models for NTM infection
Developing advanced murine models that mimic the diverse clinical manifestations and pathological features of human NTM-PD
2. Omics-driven identification of key drivers in NTM-PD exacerbation
Utilizing multi-omics approaches (e.g., transcriptomics, metabolomics, or single-cell analysis) to identify the fundamental immunological and molecular factors that trigger disease progression and exacerbation.
3. Translational validation and functional characterization of key pathogenic factors
Verifying the identified exacerbation factors using clinical samples to ensure translational relevance
