Engineering Breakthroughs in the Fight Against Tuberculosis: Bryan Bryson's Mission
Associate Professor Bryan Bryson at MIT is leading pioneering research to better understand how immune cells eradicate tuberculosis bacteria. Combining novel engineering and biological techniques, his lab aims to identify new vaccine targets and accelerate the development of more effective tuberculosis therapies—a crucial global health challenge still responsible for over a million deaths per year.
Bryan Bryson, an associate professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), is at the forefront of efforts to solve one of humanity's most persistent and deadly public health challenges: tuberculosis (TB). In pursuit of this goal, Bryson and his laboratory have zeroed in on a fundamental question: how do immune cells destroy bacteria?
Bryson, who started his faculty position in biological engineering in 2018, continues to focus on the intersection of engineering and immunology to unlock new strategies against infectious diseases, with particular attention to TB. Despite the availability of a century-old vaccine—the BCG, derived from a bovine strain—tuberculosis claims the lives of more than a million people globally each year, underscoring the urgent need for innovative interventions.
“The core of our mission,” Bryson says, “is to determine how the immune system recognizes and eliminates Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the pathogen responsible for TB. Should we succeed, we’ll pave the way for new therapies and, crucially, more effective vaccines.”
Foundations in Engineering and Curiosity
Bryson’s fascination with engineering began early, drawing inspiration from family role models and discovering a passion for building and innovation as a child. His academic journey led him to MIT, where, encouraged by mentors, he pivoted from mechanical to biological engineering. In the research labs of Linda Griffith and later Forest White, Bryson acquired not only the technical know-how of building microfluidic devices and studying cell signaling, but also an appreciation for the complexities of living systems.
A pivotal moment followed during his postdoctoral work at the Harvard School of Public Health, in the lab of noted tuberculosis expert Sarah Fortune. There, Bryson began investigating the interactions between the tuberculosis bacterium and human immune cells, guided by a belief that transformative solutions—instead of incremental progress—are achievable through deeper understanding of host-pathogen dynamics. “What’s the thing that’s going to change history?” Bryson recalls asking himself, emphasizing the importance of bold thinking and innovative methodologies.
A Data-Driven Approach to Vaccine Discovery
The persistent challenge in TB vaccine development is measuring and interpreting the immune response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Bryson’s lab is addressing this by developing new measurement modalities capable of pinpointing which bacterial proteins, or antigens, are presented on the surfaces of infected cells—crucial targets for an effective immune response.
While Mycobacterium tuberculosis produces over 4,000 distinct proteins, only a select few are recognized by the human immune system. Bryson’s research has highlighted the importance of a particular group: type 7 secretion system substrates. Of approximately 100 such proteins, the specific subset presented varies by individual, depending on genetic background. By analyzing blood samples from people around the world, Bryson’s team has identified proteins relevant to about half of the human population and continues to broaden this scope.
Their ultimate aim is to catalogue antigens suitable for vaccine design that could confer broad, global protection. Once identified, these antigens will guide the design of next-generation vaccines, with animal testing planned and hopes for human trials within six years.
A Broader Perspective and Optimism for Impact
Bryson attributes much of his resilience and ambition to the influence of his mother, who raised him and his siblings alone, and to MIT's culture of determination in tackling big problems. For him, the convergence of engineering and infectious disease is both natural and necessary: “Engineers love a problem, and tuberculosis is a really hard problem,” he notes.
Beyond the lab, Bryson is committed to mentoring students and fostering community, even bringing together residents of MIT’s Simmons Hall with creative varieties of homemade ice cream—a small but meaningful reminder of optimism and perseverance in the face of formidable challenges.
Bryson’s work stands as a compelling testament to the power of interdisciplinary science, innovative measurement, and the enduring hope that even the world’s toughest diseases can one day be overcome.
Read more at the original source: MIT News.
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