Understanding how tuberculosis bacteria survive and spread
Official title: Interrogating complex mycobacterial population structures using single-cell RNA sequencing
Funded at Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ · NIH-11095979 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how tuberculosis bacteria act on their own to find out which ones can survive antibiotics, with the hope of discovering ways to make treatment faster and stop the spread of the disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $211,875 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI176355-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11095979 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals diagnosed with tuberculosis who are undergoing treatment or have been exposed to the disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-tuberculosis infections or those who have not been diagnosed with TB may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the complex behaviors of tuberculosis (TB) bacteria at a single-cell level using advanced RNA sequencing techniques. By analyzing the genetic activity of individual TB bacteria, the study aims to identify specific populations that can survive antibiotic treatment and contribute to the spread of the disease. This approach seeks to uncover vulnerabilities in these bacteria that could lead to shorter treatment durations and reduced transmission rates. The research is particularly focused on understanding how these bacteria behave in the presence of antibiotics and during aerosol transmission.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for tuberculosis, potentially reducing the duration of therapy and the risk of transmission.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using single-cell sequencing techniques to study bacterial populations, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights into tuberculosis.
Where this research is happening
-
Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Saito, Kohta — Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
- Study coordinator: Saito, Kohta
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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.