Texas Biomed Hosts Statewide Tuberculosis Research Conference
Symposium featured recent discoveries from across Texas
Texas Biomed was proud to host the 6th Texas Tuberculosis Research Symposium in April, which brought more than 100 basic and translational scientists studying all aspects of TB together with clinicians who treat patients with TB.
“TB is one of the world’s oldest diseases that still claims more than 1.5 million lives every year,” says Texas Biomed Professor Jordi B. Torrelles, PhD, and symposium co-chair. “In the U.S., Texas has one of the highest incidence rates of TB. That is why it was so important to convene researchers and doctors from across Texas, so we could share our most recent discoveries in the lab and the field.”
The two-day conference featured more than 40 presentations, including many 3-minute lightning talks by students and early career investigators, as well as a poster session and tours. Participants hailed from across the state: UT Southwestern Medical Center, UT Tyler Health Science Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston Methodist, UT Medical Branch, UT El Paso, Texas Tech University Health Science Center El Paso, UT Health Houston at Brownsville and Texas A&M. They joined San Antonio-based scientists from the Heartland National TB Center, UT Health San Antonio, Southwest National Primate Research Center and Texas Biomed.
Representatives from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases opened the conference and University of Massachusetts Chan School of Medicine Professor Christopher M. Sassetti gave the closing keynote lecture.
“We were pleased to welcome experts from across the state and nation to exchange ideas, build collaborations and share what a powerful combination of resources we have to study TB here at Texas Biomed,” says Texas Biomed Professor Deepak Kaushal, PhD, and symposium co-chair.
Texas Biomed recently was named one of the nation’s premier training centers for TB researchers. The Interdisciplinary NexGen TB Research Advancement Center, better known as IN-TRAC, will provide “bench to bedside” training for up-and-coming TB researchers.
“San Antonio provides unparallel access to research and expertise in this field, with the only freestanding TB hospital in the nation, and study sites at the Texas-Mexico border with people living into old age with TB,” says Texas Biomed Executive Vice President for Research Joanne Turner, PhD. “The region is truly one of the most diverse and dynamic places to study TB.”
