Stopping TB bacteria from surviving antibiotics
Minimizing in vivo Drug Tolerance induction in tuberculosis.
Developing a way to change immune cells so tuberculosis medicines kill the bacteria more reliably for people with active TB.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Newark, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11144601 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project looks at how immune cells in the lungs can help TB bacteria survive antibiotic treatment. Researchers will use animal models and advanced lab tools to read both the bacteria and the host immune responses during drug therapy and to edit macrophage cells. The team will identify immune or metabolic pathways that lead to bacterial drug tolerance and test ways to alter those pathways so antibiotics work better. Successful lab findings could point to new treatments that are used alongside current TB drugs.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with active pulmonary tuberculosis who are receiving antibiotic treatment would be the eventual candidates for therapies developed from this work.
Not a fit: People with latent TB, non-tuberculous mycobacterial infections, or those not on TB treatment are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could make existing TB drugs clear infections faster and reduce the chance that drug resistance emerges.
How similar studies have performed: Prior lab and animal studies show the host immune environment can affect TB drug killing, but using host-directed genetic approaches to reduce drug tolerance is relatively new and experimental.
Where this research is happening
Newark, UNITED STATES
- Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences — Newark, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Russell, David G — Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Russell, David G
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.