New antibiotics to fight tuberculosis
Official title: Novel gyrase inhibitors targeting Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Funded at Florida International University · NIH-10843242 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on new antibiotics to help treat tuberculosis, especially for patients who have strains that don't respond to current medicines, by using special compounds that can stop the bacteria from copying its DNA.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Florida International University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Miami, United States) |
| Project start | May 17, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $186,265 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI178134-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10843242 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis who have not responded to standard treatments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with drug-sensitive tuberculosis or those who do not have tuberculosis will likely not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing new antibiotics that target Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacteria responsible for tuberculosis (TB). The team is investigating a specific type of compound known as gyrase inhibitors, which interfere with the bacteria's DNA replication process. By improving the effectiveness and safety of these compounds, the research aims to create treatments that can overcome resistance to existing antibiotics. Patients with multidrug-resistant TB may particularly benefit from these new therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for patients suffering from multidrug-resistant tuberculosis.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in developing new antibiotics targeting bacterial DNA gyrase, indicating that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
Florida International University
Miami, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Leng, Fenfei — Florida International University
- Study coordinator: Leng, Fenfei
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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.