Dr Sahil Tulsi graduated with a PhD in Virology for his novel study.
Image: Sethu Dlamini
Dr Sahil Tulsi, a Durban-born researcher, has earned his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Virology from UKZN, contributing important new insights into how genetic differences among South Africans may influence responses to tuberculosis (TB) treatment.
TB remains a major public health challenge across Africa. But in South Africa, it continues to be a leading cause of death, even though it remains preventable and curable.
Tulsi’s study, "Influence of Drug Transporter Gene Polymorphisms on Pharmacogenetic and Treatment Outcomes in African Mycobacterium tuberculosis Cohorts", explored how genetic variation affected the way patients processed anti-TB medication.
His research highlighted a critical gap in global health science, which was the underrepresentation of African genetic data in studies that informed treatment approaches.
“South African patients may respond differently to TB treatment because of their unique genetic makeup,” said Tulsi.
“Understanding these differences moves us closer to more personalised treatment for TB and HIV rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.”
His work emphasised how genetic diversity could influence drug absorption, distribution, and elimination.
Analysing data from 1,407 black South African participants in KwaZulu-Natal, he identified specific genetic variants that affected how the body processed moxifloxacin, a key anti-TB drug.
One variant in particular was linked to reduced drug concentrations, suggesting that some patients may metabolise the drug more rapidly than others.
While these variants were not directly associated with TB susceptibility, HIV infection, or recurrence, further genome-wide analysis revealed additional understudied genetic markers linked to HIV and TB co-infection as well as TB recurrence, with notable differences compared to non-African populations.
“These findings show that understudied genetic variants unique to African populations potentially influence treatment outcomes,” Tulsi explained.
“Future studies may help to validate the potential of these variants to serve as biomarkers to guide dosing strategies and improve treatment success.”
Professor Veron Ramsuran, who supervised Tulsi’s study, said: “The implications are significant. By paving the way for precision medicine approaches tailored to African populations, the research could help reduce treatment failure and relapse rates, ultimately strengthening healthcare outcomes in communities hardest hit by TB.”
Tulsi described completing his PhD as a deeply rewarding achievement.
“I feel a great sense of pride in having achieved this personal goal and in contributing, even in a small way, to the advancement of science,” he said.
His academic journey has been closely tied to UKZN, where he completed both his undergraduate and postgraduate studies.
Inspired by early exposure to infectious disease research during his time with the Medical Research Council TB Unit and the Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), he developed a passion for understanding the intersection of microbiology and human health.
He credits his success to the support of his supervisor, Professor Ramsuran, as well as funding from GlaxoSmithKline and Novartis and the encouragement from his wife, Mrs Nazley Tulsi.
Currently a Senior Genomics Sales Specialist at Illumina, Tulsi works across Southern and East Africa, supporting advanced genomic technologies, including next-generation sequencing and microarray workflows.