Dr
Terry KipkorirProfile page
Research Fellow
Infection Biology
BIO
TB is a respiratory illness responsible for the highest mortality rates in the world due to a single bacterium. The unique and complex biology of Mtb bacilli during different stages of TB pathology, and a near-perfect paradigm of a host-pathogen relationship, poses a serious challenge to the development of new therapies for TB eradication. Therefore, an understanding of host-pathogen nexus may help in identifying the key mechanisms for nutritional immunity and metabolic vulnerabilities, which are important to develop new chemotherapeutic strategies. We have previously reported that vitamin B12, which is an indispensable cofactor in all domains of life, is utilised by Mtb for riboswitch-mediated gene expression regulation during planktonic growth and during the reactivation of dormant bacilli. Although non-tuberculous and environmental strains of mycobacteria are generally capable of de novo B12 synthesis, organisms belonging to the MTBC are largely the exception. Yet, the evidence shows that MTBC strains retain the capacity for exogenous uptake – emphasising the relevance of scavenging B12 for the physiology of MTBC. My current research aims to elucidate the mechanisms of vitamin B12 uptake and its utilization for Mtb physiology and virulence using a combination of molecular approaches, including proximity labeling and protein mass spectrometry, ribosome profiling, microscopy, and in vivo models.
LONDON SCHOOL OF HYGIENE AND TROPICAL MEDICINE APPOINTMENTS
- Research FellowLondon School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Infection Biology, London, United Kingdom1 Jan 2023 - present
ACADEMIC POSITIONS
- Research FellowUniversity College London, London, United Kingdom1 Jul 2019 - 31 Dec 2022
- Postgraduate Research AssociateYale School of Medicine, New Haven, United States1 Oct 2010 - 28 Feb 2013
NON-ACADEMIC POSITIONS
- Career and Employability Officer and College Access CounsellorEquity Bank Group, Kenya, Equity Group Foundation, Nairobi, Kenya1 Jun 2013 - 31 May 2015
DEGREES
- PhD, Medical MicrobiologyUniversity of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- BA, BiologyYale University, New Haven, United States
- Kenya Certificate of Secondary EducationSt. Patrick's High School, Iten, Iten, Kenya
LANGUAGES
- EnglishCan peer review
- SwahiliCan peer review
- KalenjinCan peer review
- KoreanCan read and write
RESEARCH CENTRES
- TB Centre