Maha Farhat, M.D.

Anti-tuberculosis (TB) drug resistance is a major public health problem that threatens progress made in TB care and control. Drug resistance in TB is caused by genetic mutations. By investigating the genetic sequences of 28 known and 4 candidate resistant genes for a large panel of TB drugs, Dr. Farhat and team will attempt to determine which mutations predict the extent of resistance, and if specific combinations of mutations interact to affect this resistance level. The information will be used to guide the development of a much needed rapid diagnostic test for drug resistant TB.