Comparative Transcriptomics in Ocular Serovars of Chlamydia trachomatis
Trachoma is the leading cause of infectious blindness globally. It is caused by repeated infection of the conjunctiva-a clear, thin membrane that covers part of the eye's front surface and the inner surface of the eyelids-with the intracellular bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis.In this study, we will use comparative transcriptomics to explore the early and mid-stage transcriptional landscape of immortalized Human Conjunctival Epithelial cells and THP1 cells in response to infection by Chlamydia trachomatis serovars A and B. This approach will help us identify serovar-specific pathways that drive infection and pathology.