Understanding how mycobacteria survive inside immune cells
Official title: Identifying the mycobacterial genes controlling bacteriolysis in the macrophage cytoplasm
Funded at University of Notre Dame · NIH-11091456 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how germs that cause diseases like tuberculosis manage to hide and survive inside our immune cells, and it's for anyone interested in understanding how these infections stick around and how we might fight them better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Notre Dame NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Notre Dame, United States) |
| Project start | May 17, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $189,756 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI181133-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11091456 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with tuberculosis or other mycobacterial infections.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-mycobacterial infections or those without active infections may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how pathogenic mycobacteria, which can cause diseases like tuberculosis, survive and evade destruction inside immune cells called macrophages. The researchers aim to identify specific genes in mycobacteria that help them resist being killed by these immune cells. By using advanced genetic techniques, they will explore both known and unknown factors that contribute to this survival mechanism. This work could lead to new insights into how infections persist and how to better combat them.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments for tuberculosis and other mycobacterial infections by targeting the survival mechanisms of these bacteria.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in understanding bacterial survival mechanisms within immune cells, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Champion, Patricia a — University of Notre Dame
- Study coordinator: Champion, Patricia a
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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.