In our studies, we have observed that people who are exposed to tuberculosis carry epigenetic marks in the DNA of immune cells and other cells. More specifically, we study DNA methylation signatures and we are currently investigating whether we can use this technology for diagnosis, treatment monitoring and contact tracing in the management of tuberculosis. We have also observed that COVID-19 infection rewires the DNA of our immune cells and that people suffering from post covid have unique marks in their DNA that could both explain why they are not feeling well and be used to develop new diagnostic tools.
Through a generous grant from the Swedish Heart Lung Foundation we are now able to investigate how epigenetic signatures evolve over time during infection and search for explanations to why some people are more susceptible than other to infectious disease or develop long-term sequelae. We also study the epigenetic program of immune cells of babies to mothers with tuberculosis and COVID-19, in order to understand how epigenetic signals are transmitted to the next generation.
