Why some TB bacteria lose their outer lipid (PDIM)
The PDIM paradox of M. tuberculosis
['FUNDING_R01'] · ALBERT EINSTEIN COLLEGE OF MEDICINE · NIH-11256748
This project looks at why some tuberculosis bacteria lose a protective outer fat called PDIM and how that change affects infection and treatment for people with TB.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | ALBERT EINSTEIN COLLEGE OF MEDICINE (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (BRONX, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11256748 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
This project looks at why the TB germ sometimes loses a surface lipid called PDIM and what that means for how the bacteria behave and respond to antibiotics. The team will build lab screening and cleanup methods to detect and remove PDIM-negative bacteria from cultures so experiments and drug tests are not biased. They will use bacterial experiments and animal models to study how PDIM affects infection severity and tolerance to antibiotics. By improving how lab strains are handled, the work aims to make research findings more reliable and could guide better diagnostics or drug strategies in the future.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: The grant does not directly enroll patients, but the findings are most relevant to people with active tuberculosis whose samples might be used in related laboratory or clinical testing.
Not a fit: People without tuberculosis or whose infections involve bacterial strains where PDIM is not relevant are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could make TB lab tests and drug susceptibility testing more accurate and help guide development of better treatments or diagnostics.
How similar studies have performed: Previous lab studies have shown PDIM affects virulence and drug permeability, but robust screening and cleanup protocols like those proposed are largely new and not yet widely established.
Where this research is happening
BRONX, UNITED STATES
- ALBERT EINSTEIN COLLEGE OF MEDICINE — BRONX, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: BERNEY, MICHAEL — ALBERT EINSTEIN COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
- Study coordinator: BERNEY, MICHAEL
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 below.