Understanding how tuberculosis bacteria become resistant to antibiotics
Official title: Antibiotic tolerance as a stepping stone to tuberculosis drug-resistance
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-10796921 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how some tuberculosis bacteria can survive even when treated with antibiotics, which makes it tougher to get rid of the infection, and it aims to find out why this happens so we can develop better ways to treat tuberculosis in the future.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2023 |
| Project end | February 28, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $244,630 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI169005-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10796921 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with tuberculosis, particularly those who have experienced treatment failures or prolonged therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-tuberculosis bacterial infections or those who have not been diagnosed with tuberculosis may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how certain tuberculosis bacteria can survive antibiotic treatment, making them harder to eliminate. By examining different forms of antibiotic tolerance in clinical samples, the study aims to identify the mechanisms that allow these bacteria to persist despite treatment. The researchers will use advanced techniques, including genetic analysis, to explore how these tolerant bacteria contribute to the development of drug resistance. This knowledge could lead to improved treatment strategies for tuberculosis, which often requires long-term antibiotic therapy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for tuberculosis, reducing the duration of therapy and improving patient outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that understanding antibiotic tolerance can lead to breakthroughs in treating other bacterial infections, suggesting potential success for this approach in tuberculosis.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Javid, Babak — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Javid, Babak
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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.