Emeritus Prof Robin Wood
Affiliations
- Full Member, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine
- Clinical and Community HIV-Tuberculosis Research Collaborating Centre
- Centre for Tuberculosis Biomarker-Targeted Intervention
- UCT Molecular Mycobacteriology Research Unit
- Desmond Tutu HIV Centre (DTHC)
Key Expertise
Tuberculosis
Main Research Focus
The primary objectives of this TB research unit are to investigate the roles of mycobacterial metabolites and cell wall lipids in promoting the survival of M. tuberculosis (Mtb) within the human host, and to leverage this understanding to develop more effective TB diagnostics, anti--TB drugs and control measures to limit transmission. A key focus of the research includes bio-aerosol sampling from TB cases, TB Suspects, and individual living with HIV and TB. His work aims to apply innovative scientific methods to optimize trial investments, creating valuable new knowledge for both HIV/TB researchers and clinical trialists across various medical fields. The project seeks to enhance development of collection devices in combination with molecular assays to better understand ongoing transmission in high TB-burdened setting. The respiratory aerosol collecting chamber (RASC) in combination with DMN-trehalose fluorescent probe has demonstrated the presence of exhaled viable aerosolized Mtb in "walking well" separates transmission from disease. Additionally, the presence of viable organisms in well individuals also challenges the current binary latent versus active paradigm of Mtb-host relationship.
Most Significant Paper Authored in 2024
Patterson, B., Dinkele, R., Gessner, S., Koch, A., Hoosen, Z., January, V., Leonard, B., McKerry, A., Seldon, R., Vazi, A., Hermans, S., Cobelens, F., Warner, D. F., & Wood, R. (2024).
A temporal association was observed between Mtb bioaerosol release and TB symptoms in all three groups. Persistence of Mtb bioaerosol positivity was observed in ~30% of participants irrespective of TB chemotherapy. Captured Mtb bacilli were predominantly acid-fast stain-negative and poorly culturable; however, three bioaerosol samples yielded sufficient biomass following culture for whole-genome sequencing, revealing two different Mtb lineages. Detection of viable aerosolized Mtb in clinic attendees, independent of TB diagnosis, suggests that unidentified Mtb transmitters might contribute a significant attributable proportion of community exposure. Additional longitudinal studies with sputum culturepositive and -negative control participants are required to investigate this possibility.