Lalita Ramakrishnan

American microbiologist

Lalita Ramakrishnan at the Royal Society

Lalita Ramakrishnan is a prominent microbiologist known for her pioneering research on tuberculosis (TB) and the pathogenesis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Her work has significantly advanced the understanding of how this bacterium causes disease, leading to potential new strategies for treatment and prevention.

Early Life and Education

Lalita Ramakrishnan was born in India and developed an early interest in science. She pursued her undergraduate studies in medicine at the Christian Medical College, Vellore, where she earned her MBBS degree. Her passion for research led her to the United States, where she completed her MD at Tufts University. She further honed her research skills by obtaining a PhD in immunology from Tufts University School of Medicine.

Career

Ramakrishnan began her career in academia and research at the University of Washington, where she held a faculty position in the Department of Microbiology. Her innovative use of the zebrafish model to study tuberculosis pathogenesis has been groundbreaking. This model has allowed her to visualize the interactions between Mycobacterium tuberculosis and the host immune system in real-time, providing insights into the mechanisms of bacterial infection and immune evasion.

In 2011, she joined the University of Cambridge as a Professor of Immunology and Infectious Diseases. At Cambridge, she continues her research on tuberculosis, focusing on the host-pathogen interactions and the development of new therapeutic approaches.

Research Contributions

Ramakrishnan's research has elucidated several key aspects of tuberculosis pathogenesis. Her work has shown how Mycobacterium tuberculosis manipulates host immune responses to establish infection. She has identified critical host factors that the bacterium exploits to survive and proliferate within macrophages, the cells that are supposed to kill bacteria.

Her studies using the zebrafish model have also revealed the role of granulomas in tuberculosis. Contrary to the traditional view that granulomas are solely protective, her research suggests that they can also serve as niches for bacterial growth and dissemination.

Awards and Honors

Lalita Ramakrishnan has received numerous accolades for her contributions to microbiology and infectious disease research. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society and has been recognized by several prestigious organizations for her work in advancing the understanding of tuberculosis.

Related Pages

• Tuberculosis
• Mycobacterium tuberculosis
• Zebrafish
• Immunology
• University of Cambridge