Understanding how mycobacteria maintain their cell structure
Official title: Cell envelope integrity in mycobacteria: interplay of lipoglycans, peptidoglycan, and capsular polysaccharides
Funded at University of Massachusetts Amherst · NIH-10735899 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at certain molecules in the outer layer of tuberculosis bacteria to see how they help the bacteria grow and stay strong, with the hope of finding new ways to treat infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Massachusetts Amherst NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hadley, United States) |
| Project start | November 7, 2022 |
| Project end | October 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $190,164 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI168791-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10735899 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with infections caused by mycobacteria, particularly those with tuberculosis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with infections caused by non-mycobacterial pathogens or those without active infections may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of specific molecules called lipoglycans in the cell envelope of mycobacteria, particularly focusing on Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The researchers aim to understand how these lipoglycans interact with other components of the cell envelope to maintain its integrity during bacterial growth. By studying these interactions, the research seeks to identify potential weaknesses in the mycobacterial cell envelope that could be targeted for new antimicrobial treatments. This work involves laboratory experiments that analyze the biosynthesis and function of these molecules in both pathogenic and nonpathogenic mycobacteria.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of new antibiotics that specifically target the cell envelope of mycobacteria, improving treatment options for infections like tuberculosis.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in targeting bacterial cell envelope components for antibiotic development, indicating that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Hadley, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Morita, Yasu S — University of Massachusetts Amherst
- Study coordinator: Morita, Yasu S
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
New England Center of Excellence in Vector-Borne Diseases (NEWVEC)
A center in New England will develop and test practical ways to prevent tick bites and reduce diseases from ticks, while training public health workers and engaging communities.
-
Understanding how minority stress affects cannabis use in sexual minorities
A research project follows young adult sexual minorities to see how daily stress and coping help explain cannabis use and related problems.
-
A non-contact way to measure stiffness in hydrogel scaffolds for tissue engineering
A new method uses 2D acoustic force elastography microscopy to measure how stiff hydrogel scaffolds are, without touching them, to help tissue engineering efforts.
-
Automated neural identification across species and development
A computer-driven project to map and track every neuron in molluscs’ brains as they grow and evolve, to better understand how brains stay organized over time.
-
Nanopore Tweezers to Study Kinase Movements and Find Allosteric Inhibitors in Cancers
A new technology uses nanopore tweezers to watch how cancer-related kinases move in real time and to screen for drugs that stop them by binding at sites away from the active site.
-
Promesa: Urban gardens and peer nutrition to help people with HIV in the Dominican Republic
A unified program uses urban gardening and peer nutrition counseling to help people living with HIV who are food insecure in the Dominican Republic improve their health and HIV outcomes.
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.