Welcome to the Conrad lab

Welcome to the Conrad lab at Lake Forest College!

According to the WHO, Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the top 10 killers worldwide and the number one infectious killer. TB is caused by the bacterium mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). The Conrad lab at Lake Forest College seeks to identify new drug targets for tuberculosis by examining the genes in Mtb and related mycobacteria that protect the bacterium from the host, by examining the genes in the host that protect itself from the bacterium, and by engineering the host immune system to more efficiently destroy mycobacteria.

As an undergraduate research lab at Lake Forest College, Prof. Conrad drives towards two equally important goals. First, my lab seeks to accomplish the research aims above to make productive and constructive contributions to the TB research community. Second, my lab seeks to prepare the next generation of scientists, medical professionals, and others for diverse fields. My lab accomplishes these dual goals by training students to solve research questions by performing experiments connecting the molecular level with the organismal level, by using cutting edge technology and research methods, and by engaging students in up-to-date literature.