Developing New Tuberculosis Treatments by Focusing on Our Own Cells
Official title: Targeting non-coding RNAs as host-directed drug therapy for tuberculosis
Funded at University of Cape Town · NIH-11073109 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks for new ways to treat tuberculosis by understanding how our own body's cells respond to the infection.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Cape Town NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rondebosch, South Africa) |
| Project start | April 19, 2021 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $129,659 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI160501-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11073109 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This foundational work focuses on understanding human susceptibility to TB, particularly in African populations, by studying human immune cells.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis would not directly benefit from this specific tuberculosis research.
What this research studies
Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious global health issue, and we urgently need better treatments. This project explores how certain genetic instructions within our cells, called non-coding RNAs, influence how susceptible someone is to TB. Researchers will study human immune cells, specifically macrophages, from individuals in South Africa and Uganda to understand their response to TB infection. The goal is to identify specific non-coding RNAs that could be targeted with new medicines, like antisense oligonucleotides, to help our bodies fight the infection more effectively.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to entirely new types of drugs that help our own immune system fight tuberculosis, potentially improving treatment outcomes and reducing deaths.
How similar studies have gone: While targeting host non-coding RNAs for infectious diseases is a newer approach, antisense oligonucleotide therapies have shown promise in other conditions.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Cape Town
Rondebosch, South Africa Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Guler, Reto — University of Cape Town
- Study coordinator: Guler, Reto
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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.