How tuberculosis bacteria move key proteins across their cell wall
Tracking the hierarchical secretion of ESX-1 substrates through the mycobacterial cell envelope
['FUNDING_R21'] · STATE UNIVERSITY NEW YORK STONY BROOK · NIH-11270645
The team will use new protein-tagging and light-activated crosslinking lab methods to watch how TB bacteria export proteins, aiming to help people affected by tuberculosis.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R21'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | STATE UNIVERSITY NEW YORK STONY BROOK (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (STONY BROOK, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11270645 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, researchers will tag proteins in the bacterial cell wall to see where they travel and whether they reach the bacterial surface. They will use surface-specific detection together with site-specific photocrosslinking to capture interacting proteins during the export process. By combining these methods, they plan to map the order in which ESX-1 substrates move through the mycobacterial cell envelope. This is laboratory research on mycobacterial strains that cause TB and related infections and does not enroll patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This project does not enroll patients; its findings could eventually benefit people with active or latent tuberculosis.
Not a fit: People seeking immediate new treatments or those with infections unrelated to mycobacteria should not expect direct benefit from this basic lab research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal key steps TB bacteria use to cause disease and point to new drug or vaccine targets.
How similar studies have performed: Previous genetic and biochemical studies have identified parts of ESX systems, but applying cell-wall-specific tagging and photocrosslinking to map ESX-1 secretion is a novel approach with promising preliminary data.
Where this research is happening
STONY BROOK, UNITED STATES
- STATE UNIVERSITY NEW YORK STONY BROOK — STONY BROOK, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: SEELIGER, JESSICA CHUANG — STATE UNIVERSITY NEW YORK STONY BROOK
- Study coordinator: SEELIGER, JESSICA CHUANG
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.
Conditions: Communicable Diseases