Regulation of Mycobacterial Growth

Mycobacteria are phylogenetically distinct from the model organisms classically used to study prokaryotic cell biology. Consequently, the mechanisms controlling the growth, division, and morphogenesis of the mycobacterial cell are unique to this genus. We are using genetics, time-lapse microscopy, and high-throughput image-based screening to understand the mechanisms regulating these processes (for more information see a commentary on our work ).

Dynamic reorganization of cell wall regulatory complexes

Sequential recruitment of cell wall synthetic and regulatory complexes to the developing septum

Dynamics of arabinogalactan synthesis during growth

Differential sorting of polar and septal cell wall regulatory complexes

Morphology mutants of M. smegmatis