Restoration of Phagosomal Defenses via PI3K–NOX Signaling Reactivation for Host-Directed Control of Mycobacterial Infection — funded by the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) under the Prime Minister’s Early Career Research Grant (PM-ECRG) scheme.

This project investigates how Mycobacterium marinum disrupts PI3K–NOX-dependent phagosomal defence mechanisms in macrophages. It aims to determine how impaired phagosomal maturation, acidification and reactive oxygen species production promote intracellular bacterial survival. Using zebrafish infection models, live imaging and genetic approaches, the project will test whether reactivation of PI3K–NOX signalling can restore antimicrobial activity and provide new host-directed therapeutic strategies against mycobacterial infections.