Amit Singh from IISc explains how a protein (WhiB4) that condenses the DNA of TB-causing bacteria in response to oxidative stress was identified. The team found that artificially elevating the levels of WhiB4 protein led to prolonged compaction of DNA leading to bacterial death. Drugs or inhibitors that can either keep the WhiB4 protein level high or condense the DNA for a long time can kill the TB bacteria.