Developing new treatments for tuberculosis by targeting a specific enzyme
Official title: Noncompetitive inhibition of CYP121 dimers from Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Funded at State University of New York at Buffalo · NIH-11092193 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking for new and safer ways to treat tuberculosis by blocking a specific enzyme in the TB bacteria, which could help reduce side effects from current medications and make treatment better for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | State University of New York at Buffalo NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Amherst, United States) |
| Project start | May 20, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $201,250 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI182823-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11092193 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with tuberculosis, especially those with multi-drug resistant strains.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have tuberculosis or are not infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on finding new ways to treat tuberculosis (TB) by targeting an essential enzyme called Cytochrome P450 21A1 (CYP121) found in the bacteria that cause TB. The researchers aim to create non-competitive inhibitors that can effectively block this enzyme without affecting other important enzymes in the body. By doing so, they hope to reduce the risk of side effects from existing TB medications that can interact with drug-metabolizing enzymes. This innovative approach could lead to safer and more effective treatments for patients suffering from TB.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of safer and more effective anti-TB medications.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in targeting specific enzymes for drug development, suggesting that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
State University of New York at Buffalo
Amherst, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Estrada, David Fernando — State University of New York at Buffalo
- Study coordinator: Estrada, David Fernando
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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.