Role of lncRNAs in tuberculosis infection of macrophages
Official title: Determining the role for lncRNAs in TB infection in macrophages
Funded at University of California Santa Cruz · NIH-11373386 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying how long non-coding RNAs influence the body’s early immune response to tuberculosis inside immune cells, which could reveal new ways to help the body fight infection.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Santa Cruz NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Santa Cruz, United States) |
| Project start | September 2, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $259,415 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AI193256-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11373386 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with TB exposure or infection for whom future therapies could be developed based on lncRNA regulatory pathways.
✕Less likely to help
Some patients may not directly benefit if therapies targeting lncRNA pathways are not applicable to their TB infection stage or if the research remains at the mechanistic stage.
What this research studies
This project focuses on how non-protein-coding RNAs inside macrophages affect the way the immune system responds to TB bacteria. By using innovative genetic tools that work with lncRNAs, the team aims to uncover new regulatory steps that control inflammation during early infection. The findings could point to new targets for therapies that better balance the immune response and improve bacterial clearance. The work is led by UC Santa Cruz and explores mechanisms that could be relevant to patients with acute bacterial infection in the context of TB.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better understanding of TB immune responses could lead to new treatments that improve recovery and reduce disease severity.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies show that lncRNAs can regulate immune responses, but this project aims to translate that knowledge to TB-specific macrophage responses.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Carpenter, Susan — University of California Santa Cruz
- Study coordinator: Carpenter, Susan
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.