Elucidation of environmental adaptation mechanism of non-tuberculous mycobacteria by multi-genomic analysis and establishment of protective basis against their infection

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20H00562
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (A)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Medium-sized Section 58:Society medicine, nursing, and related fields
• Research Institution: Hiroshima University
• Principal Investigator: MARUYAMA Fumito 広島大学, IDEC国際連携機構:PHIS, 教授 (30423122)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 西内 由紀子 広島大学, IDEC国際連携機構:PHIS, 特任准教授 (00333526) ; 港 雄介 藤田医科大学, 医学部, 講師 (10836620) ; 藤吉 奏 広島大学, IDEC国際連携機構:PHIS, 助教 (20805808) ; 岩本 朋忠 神戸市健康科学研究所, 感染症部, 部長 (70416402)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: NTM / Mycobacterium avium / High thoughput sequencer / drinking water / water / bioaerosol

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This JSPS Kakenhi research project aims to understand the survival mechanisms of Mycobacterium avium, a leading cause of lung disease in Japan. The team hypothesizes the bacterium originates from unique conditions in Japanese bathrooms, possibly causing bio-aerosol infections. The researchers are collecting bacterial strains and genomic data, and have established methods for extracting and sequencing genome DNA. They have sequenced over 100 complete genomes and are conducting functional genome analysis using Tn-seq and CRISPRi to study the bacterium's biofilm formation, drug resistance, and phage infectivity. Preliminary Tn-seq experiments have begun on selected strains. The team has also been investigating the distribution and quantity of this bacterium in Japanese bathtubs, finding its prevalence significantly differs from that in the US and Europe.

Free Research Field

Microbial Genomics and Ecology

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本プロジェクトは、様々な環境のマイコバクテリウム・アビウムのゲノム特性が明らかになるとともに、機能ゲノム解析手法の開発が進んだ。これは、本菌の生存戦略に関する重要な知見を提供し、治療法の開発に貢献すると考えられる。また、日本の浴室などの感染源を特定することで、予防策を講じることができる可能性がある。