Developing drugs to fight tuberculosis by targeting arginine production
Development of Drugs to Target Arginine Biosythesis in Mycobacterium tuberculosis
This study is looking for new ways to help people with tuberculosis by finding drugs that can quickly kill tough bacteria when they don't have a nutrient called arginine, which could lead to better treatments for TB.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas El Paso NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (El Paso, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10816467 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on tuberculosis (TB), a major global health issue, by investigating how to effectively kill Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) cells that are resistant to current treatments. The researchers have discovered that depriving these bacteria of arginine can lead to their rapid death, including those that are typically hard to kill. They are using advanced techniques to design new drugs that target specific enzymes involved in arginine production, which are not present in humans, making them safe targets for drug development. By analyzing the effects of arginine starvation on these bacteria, the team aims to identify new drug candidates that could improve TB treatment outcomes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with tuberculosis, especially those with drug-resistant forms of the disease.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have tuberculosis or those with other unrelated health conditions may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for tuberculosis, particularly for drug-resistant strains.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in targeting metabolic pathways in bacteria, suggesting that this approach could be effective for tuberculosis treatment as well.
Where this research is happening
El Paso, United States
- University of Texas El Paso — El Paso, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tiwari, Sangeeta — University of Texas El Paso
- Study coordinator: Tiwari, Sangeeta
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 below.