How tuberculosis spreads in the body
Official title: Mathematical modeling of Mycobacterium tuberculosis dissemination
Funded at Texas Biomedical Research Institute · NIH-11326688 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are using mouse experiments plus computer models to learn how TB moves from the lung to other parts of the body, aiming to help children and people with weakened immune systems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Texas Biomedical Research Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Antonio, United States) |
| Project start | April 22, 2022 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $685,991 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI158963-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11326688 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with active TB or those at high risk for TB spread—for example young children and immunocompromised adults—would be the most relevant candidates for related studies or future trials.
✕Less likely to help
People without TB or those with lung conditions unrelated to tuberculosis are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this project.
What this research studies
From a patient point of view, the team infects mice with very tiny amounts of TB bacteria and tracks many uniquely 'barcoded' bacterial strains to see where they go. They use a genetic 'replication clock' in the bacteria to estimate how fast bacteria are cleared in the body. They also link patterns of mouse infection to mRNA gene signatures that can predict bacterial levels and disease risk in people. Combining lab, animal, and computational work aims to give a clearer picture of why TB spreads in some patients and not others.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help doctors detect and treat TB that spreads beyond the lung earlier, especially in children and immunocompromised patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous animal-model and molecular-signature studies have provided useful insights into TB, but combining ultra-low-dose barcoded infections, bacterial replication clocks, and human mRNA risk signatures is a novel integrated approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Texas Biomedical Research Institute
San Antonio, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ganusov, Vitaly V. — Texas Biomedical Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Ganusov, Vitaly V.
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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.