Understanding how tuberculosis spreads in the body
Official title: Mathematical modeling of Mycobacterium tuberculosis dissemination
Funded at Texas Biomedical Research Institute · NIH-11055457 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the tuberculosis bacteria spread in the lungs and possibly to other parts of the body, especially to help improve understanding and treatment for young children and people with weakened immune systems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Texas Biomedical Research Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Antonio, United States) |
| Project start | April 22, 2022 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $678,174 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI158963-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11055457 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include young children and immunocompromised adults who are at higher risk for tuberculosis dissemination.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-infectious diseases or those who do not have tuberculosis will not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanisms by which the tuberculosis bacteria, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, disseminate within the lungs and potentially spread to other parts of the body. By utilizing innovative techniques such as a novel animal model and barcoded strains of the bacteria, the team aims to quantify how the bacteria behave and progress in the body. The study also includes the use of mRNA-based gene signatures to predict disease progression in humans. This comprehensive approach seeks to enhance our understanding of tuberculosis, particularly in vulnerable populations like young children and immunocompromised adults.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved diagnostic and treatment strategies for tuberculosis, especially in patients with extrapulmonary TB.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding tuberculosis dissemination, but this approach using novel animal models and gene signatures is relatively innovative and may provide new insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Texas Biomedical Research Institute
San Antonio, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ganusov, Vitaly V. — Texas Biomedical Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Ganusov, Vitaly V.
Related research
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Air pollution and TB transmission in Kampala’s urban slums
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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.