Geographic origins and spread of drug-resistant TB in South Africa: new ways to detect outbreaks early
Official title: Geographic origins and dispersal of drug-resistant M. tuberculosis in South Africa: Advancing strategies for early detection
Funded at University of Colorado Denver · NIH-11524365 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant supports a physician-scientist in Colorado to study how drug-resistant tuberculosis strains originate and spread, with the goal of spotting outbreaks early so patients and communities can be protected.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | August 2, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $193,752 |
| NIH project number | 7K08AI166125-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11524365 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals at risk for TB or those in regions with drug-resistant TB transmission who could contribute samples or participate in related surveillance activities.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without exposure to TB or those in non-endemic areas may see limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
A physician-scientist will use genomic data from TB samples, human mobility patterns, and mathematical models to understand how drug-resistant TB emerges and travels across regions. The work aims to develop strategies for surveillance that catch resistant strains before they trigger large outbreaks. The training focus includes Bayesian statistics, spatial population genetics, and network science to build a more responsive public health toolkit. The project combines data analysis with a path toward independent NIH funding and career development.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could improve early warning systems for drug-resistant TB, enabling faster interventions and better patient outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous efforts in genomic epidemiology and surveillance have shown promise in outbreak detection, but early detection of drug-resistant TB remains a developing area.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Colorado Denver
Aurora, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Brown, Tyler Steven — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Brown, Tyler Steven
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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.