EMBO Workshop – The complexity of mycobacterial infections: From research to real-world impact

Tuberculosis is the deadliest disease caused by a single infectious agent and a major driver of the global antimicrobial resistance crisis. At the same time, the growing incidence of non tuberculous mycobacteria further exacerbates the clinical burden of mycobacterial infections due to overlapping symptoms, frequent misdiagnosis, and the need for distinct treatment approaches. Together, these challenges are reshaping the landscape of mycobacterial disease management worldwide.

This workshop will focus on the latest advances in understanding the complex biology of mycobacterial pathogens. Key topics include mycobacterial evolution, physiology, drug evasion mechanisms, host–pathogen interactions, pathogenesis, immune responses, and the development of improved therapies, vaccines, disease models, and emerging technologies. By fostering scientific exchange across disciplines, the workshop will address critical challenges in the field, such as antibiotic resistance, variable host susceptibility, vaccine efficacy, and
diagnostic accuracy.

The workshop has three primary objectives:
(i) to highlight recent scientific discoveries in mycobacterial research;
(ii) to promote collaboration among scientists across fields, regions, and career stages;
(iii) to accelerate the translation of research into practical solutions.
By achieving these goals, the workshop aims to advance both basic and applied research, strengthen global strategies against mycobacterial diseases, and improve public health outcomes worldwide.

Main organizer:

Giulia Manina, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, France

Co-organizers:

Anne Marie Wehenkel, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, France
Maximiliano G. Gutierrez, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
Sabine Ehrt, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, USA
Thomas Scriba, IDM, University of Cape Town, South Africa