Why tuberculosis bacteria keep antibiotics out
Bacterial and Molecular Determinants of Mycobacterial Impermeability
This project looks at how the outer layers of tuberculosis bacteria block antibiotics so people with TB can get treatments that work better and faster.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Virginia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlottesville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11369748 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will build two new lab methods to find which parts of the TB cell envelope and which bacterial genes act as barriers to drugs. They will screen many bacterial mutants and chemical compounds using high-throughput assays to see what gets into the bacteria and what does not. The team will link chemical features of drugs with bacterial factors that control entry to pinpoint routes that allow antibiotics to reach their targets. Results are aimed at guiding development of new drugs or ways to help existing antibiotics work more effectively against TB.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with active or drug-resistant tuberculosis are the ultimate beneficiaries and could be candidates for future clinical trials based on these findings.
Not a fit: Patients with infections unrelated to tuberculosis or with non-mycobacterial conditions are unlikely to benefit directly from this laboratory-focused project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could enable antibiotics that penetrate TB bacteria more easily, potentially shortening treatment and improving cure rates.
How similar studies have performed: Genetic and chemical screening methods have revealed drug-entry mechanisms in other bacteria, but applying high-throughput approaches to M. tuberculosis is relatively new and less tested.
Where this research is happening
Charlottesville, United States
- University of Virginia — Charlottesville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pires, Marcos M. — University of Virginia
- Study coordinator: Pires, Marcos M.
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.