The Division has an active research programme, which has three broad focus areas. Firstly, we conduct research around the development, evaluation and implementation of novel diagnostic tests for tuberculosis. Secondly, we host a satellite unit of the National Institute for Communicable Diseases, which focuses on the molecular epidemiology of drug-resistant nosocomial pathogens. Thirdly, we have a new interest in understanding the dynamics of the nasopharyngeal microbiome, and its relationship to childhood pneumonia and asthma. By adopting a research strategy that is based on investigating specific aspects of the physiology and metabolism of M. tuberculosis, the Molecular Mycobacteriology Research Unit (MMRU) has positioned itself at the front-end of TB drug discovery research