How tuberculosis affects the brain at the single-cell level
Using Single Cell Biological Approaches to Understand CNS TB
Researchers will look at how tuberculosis changes individual brain cells to help people with brain tuberculosis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Tufts University Boston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11085987 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project reads gene activity in single brain cells using single-cell and single-nucleus RNA sequencing to map what happens when TB reaches the brain. The team will compare samples from clinical cases and experimental models to find which cell types and pathways change during CNS tuberculosis. They focus on interactions among neurons, glia, and immune cells that drive severe brain damage. The goal is to uncover molecular patterns that could point to better diagnostics and treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people with current or recent central nervous system tuberculosis (for example TB meningitis) who can provide clinical data or tissue samples at participating sites.
Not a fit: People without tuberculosis or with TB limited to the lungs only are unlikely to directly benefit from this CNS-focused research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could reveal new biological targets and markers that lead to improved diagnosis and more effective, accessible treatments for central nervous system tuberculosis.
How similar studies have performed: Single-cell RNA sequencing has helped clarify other brain and infectious diseases, but applying it specifically to CNS tuberculosis is relatively new and builds on preliminary data from the team's prior work.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Tufts University Boston — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dulla, Chris G — Tufts University Boston
- Study coordinator: Dulla, Chris G
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.