Alternative ribosomes and antibiotic tolerance in mycobacteria
Official title: Alternative Ribosomes & Antibiotic Tolerance in Mycobacteria
Funded at Wadsworth Center · NIH-11398271 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study in bacteria that cause tuberculosis looks at how changes in ribosomes when zinc levels vary affect how these bacteria resist certain antibiotics.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wadsworth Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Menands, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2017 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $435,215 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI132422-09 |
| Project ID | NIH-11398271 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with tuberculosis or related Mycobacterium infections where ribosome remodeling and antibiotic resistance may be relevant.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose disease is not driven by ribosome-mediated antibiotic resistance or who are not candidates for ribosome-targeted approaches.
What this research studies
Researchers are exploring how mycobacteria adapt their ribosomes when zinc availability changes, creating two versions of ribosomal proteins that alter drug sensitivity. They have previously determined the structures of these ribosome variants and are now examining how the C- ribosome contributes to antibiotic resistance. The work connects ribosome remodeling to real-world TB infections in mice and humans, with a focus on why some drugs fail when zinc-related ribosome changes occur. This project could inform better treatment strategies for drug-resistant TB by targeting ribosome dynamics.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: This research could lead to more effective TB therapies by understanding how ribosome changes influence drug resistance.
How similar studies have gone: Previous structural work on C+ and C- ribosomes showed distinct drug resistance patterns, supporting continued study of this mechanism.
Where this research is happening
-
Wadsworth Center
Menands, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ojha, Anil Kumar — Wadsworth Center
- Study coordinator: Ojha, Anil Kumar
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.