Predicting the evolution of multi-drug resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (A07*)

• Subject Area: Medical Microbiology and Mycology, Hygiene, Molecular Infection Biology
• Term: since 2026
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 325931972

Antibiotic-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is a growing global health threat, with drug-resistant strains replacing wild-type bacteria in many regions of the world. This project aims to understand how contemporary Mtb strains evolve resistance against advanced antibiotics. We will engineer bacterial strains with different resistance mutations and study genetic and phenotypic trajectories of resistance evolution in laboratory experiments. We will develop computational models to predict resistance patterns under treatment and identify effective drug combinations that slow the emergence of new drug-resistant strains.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1310: Predictability in Evolution
• Applicant Institution: Universität zu Köln
• Project Head: Professor Jan Rybniker, Ph.D., since 1/2026