Laboratory of Dr. Marcel Behr
Molecular Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases
Montreal General Hospital Research Institute
McGill University Health Center
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
We employ bacterial genetic methods to study the epidemiology and pathogenesis of mycobacterial diseases. In conjunction with public health investigators, we use molecular biology to create DNA fingerprints of bacteria, allowing us to better track the spread of organisms within the community. This combination is known as molecular epidemiology. As well, we determine the genetic differences between closely related organisms in order to understand the reason why some cause disease and others are less virulent. We employ a variety of genetic techniques, including PCR, DNA microarrays and whole genome sequencing to uncover the molecular differences within the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, between subspecies of Mycobacterium avium and across the mycobacterial genus.