Comparative mycobacterial genomics

Genomics is providing us with a mass of information about the biochemistry, physiology and pathogenesis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium leprae. Comparison of the two genome sequences is mutually enriching and indicates that the M. leprae genome appears to have undergone shrinkage and large-scale gene inactivation, which may account for the exceptionally slow growth of this organism.