Chemical Mutagenesis of Mycobacteria

The creation and characterization of mutations within mycobacterial genomes is crucial for the analysis of gene function and regulation in members of the species. Such mutants could be used to elucidate mechanisms of virulence and survival of pathogenic mycobacteria such as Mycobacterzum tuberculosis and Mycobacterium bovis . Mutant strains could also be used to investigate the important biosynthetic and metabolic pathways of mycobacteria and to further clarify the molecular mechanisms of drug action, all aiding the identification of novel antimycobacterial agents