Understanding how mycobacteria communicate and respond to their environment
Official title: Dissecting and connecting the SigM stimulus and ESX-4 secretory response in mycobacteria
Funded at Wadsworth Center · NIH-10706956 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain bacteria, like those that cause tuberculosis, communicate and adapt to their surroundings using a special system, which could help us find new ways to treat these infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wadsworth Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Menands, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $405,318 |
| NIH project number | 5R01GM144372-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10706956 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals infected with mycobacteria, particularly those with tuberculosis or related conditions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with infections caused by bacteria other than mycobacteria may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanisms by which mycobacteria, including the bacteria that cause tuberculosis, use a specific secretion system to communicate and respond to their environment. The focus is on the ESX-4 system, which is crucial for the bacteria's survival and virulence. By examining how this system is activated through cell contact and regulated by a protein called SigM, the research aims to fill gaps in our understanding of mycobacterial biology. This could lead to new insights into how these bacteria cause disease and how they might be targeted for treatment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for treating infections caused by mycobacteria, including tuberculosis.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has successfully characterized different ESX systems in mycobacteria, suggesting that this approach has potential for yielding significant insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Wadsworth Center
Menands, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Derbyshire, Keith M — Wadsworth Center
- Study coordinator: Derbyshire, Keith M
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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.