Identifying substances from tuberculosis bacteria that affect immune cells.
Official title: Identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis-derived metabolites acting as ligands for MR1-restricted T cells.
Funded at State University New York Stony Brook · NIH-10820506 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how substances made by the tuberculosis bacteria affect certain immune cells, with the goal of figuring out why these cells don't work well during infections, which could help develop better treatments or vaccines for people with tuberculosis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | State University New York Stony Brook NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stony Brook, United States) |
| Project start | April 4, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $206,200 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI171578-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10820506 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals at risk of tuberculosis infection or those with active tuberculosis disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have already been successfully treated for tuberculosis or those with unrelated health conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how certain metabolites produced by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (the bacteria that causes tuberculosis) interact with specific immune cells known as MAIT cells. By understanding these interactions, the researchers aim to uncover why these immune cells do not effectively respond during tuberculosis infections. The study employs advanced techniques to analyze these metabolites and their effects on immune responses, which could lead to new therapies or vaccines for tuberculosis. Patients may benefit from improved treatments as the research aims to enhance our understanding of immune protection against this disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of novel therapies and vaccines for tuberculosis, improving patient outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding immune responses to tuberculosis, but this specific approach to identifying MR1 ligands is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
State University New York Stony Brook
Stony Brook, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vorkas, Charles Kyriakos — State University New York Stony Brook
- Study coordinator: Vorkas, Charles Kyriakos
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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.