How Mycobacterium tuberculosis uses toxins to affect host cell death
Official title: Toxin secretion and trafficking by Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Funded at University of Alabama at Birmingham · NIH-10889031 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how a germ called Mycobacterium tuberculosis releases toxins that can harm our cells, focusing on a protein named CpnT that helps cause cell death, with the hope of finding new ways to treat tuberculosis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Birmingham, United States) |
| Project start | July 17, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $754,637 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI175106-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10889031 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with tuberculosis or those at high risk of infection.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-tuberculosis related infections or conditions unrelated to Mycobacterium tuberculosis may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis secretes toxins that influence the death of host cells. It focuses on a specific protein called CpnT, which has a role in causing necrotic cell death in infected cells. By studying the mechanisms of toxin secretion and trafficking, the research aims to uncover how these processes contribute to the survival and spread of the bacteria within the host. This could provide insights into new therapeutic strategies for tuberculosis.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that target the mechanisms by which tuberculosis evades the immune system.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that understanding bacterial toxins can lead to significant advancements in treating infections, indicating potential success for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Niederweis, Michael — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Niederweis, Michael
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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.