Activity | Resource/URL | Contact |
Investigator initiated grant applications in all areas of TB and HIV/TB research. Response to currently active Initiatives for fundamental and translational science in MDR/XDR-TB. | NIAID’s Biodefense & Emerging/Reemerging Infections Programs that include Category C organisms; Partnership initiatives for the development of product candidates: www3.niaid.nih.gov/Biodefense/Research/ funding.htm#B | |
Screen for and test new drug candidates in in vitro microbiological assays and in animals. | Screening, microbiological activity, animal testing and preclinical development of new TB chemotherapeutics: www.taacf.org/ www3.niaid.nih.gov/LabsAndResources/resources/ATRG/default.htm
www3.niaid.nih.gov/biodefense/Research/ invitro.htm http://nihroadmap.nih.gov/raid/ | B. Laughon C. Sizemore B. Spinelli M. Kurilla M. Ussery M. Nasr |
Evaluate the pharmacology of existing and new drug candidates in animal models of TB disease. | In vitro and in vivo PK/PD models, testing of individual drugs and drug regimens | B. Laughon |
Characterize the biochemistry, virulence, in vitro and in vivo growth characteristics and pathogenicity of drug resistant Mtb strains | Animal models of Mtb infection and disease, histopathology, generation and testing of mutant strains http://webhost.nts.jhu.edu/target/ | C. Sizemore |
Characterize the genome and drug resistance markers of drug resistant Mtb strains | Sequencing, molecular genetics, bioinformatics www.niaid.nih.gov/dmid/genomes/brc/ www.niaid.nih.gov/dmid/genomes/mscs/default.htm www.niaid.nih.gov/dmid/genomes/prc/ | M. Giovanni |
Partner with on-going clinical trials access human specimens for the evaluation of new diagnostic tests relevant to MDR/XDR | www3.niaid.nih.gov/research/topics/HIV/prevention/ clinical/default.htm www.case.edu/affil/tbru/trials.htm | B. Laughon M. Makhene |
Correlate human immune response genes with susceptibility to Mtb infection and disease for TB and MDR/XDR-TB | Population Genetics Contract | N. Nabavi |
Extend TB T cell epitope prediction algorithms to include common HLA molecules found in MDR/XDR-TB endemic regions | Epitope Discovery contracts | A. Deckhut Augustine |
Expand TB T cell epitope discovery efforts to include MDR/XDR-TB infected persons and household contacts | Epitope Discovery contract. | A. Deckhut Augustine |
Compile existing B cell and T cell epitope information from Mtb strains to identify points of possible variation and inform diagnostic development | Immune Epitope Database and Analysis Resource www.immuneEpitope.org | A. Deckhut Augustine |
Accelerate production of CD1b molecules for tetramer production and characterization of host immune responses to vaccines or natural infections with all forms of TB. | NIH Tetramer Facility www.niaid.nih.gov/reposit/tetramer/index.html | A. Deckhut Augustine |
Test addition of vaccine candidates to chemotherapy in animal models of TB | Murine and guinea pig models of infection and disease, immune assays www.cvmbs.colostate.edu/microbiology/tb/top.htm | C. Sizemore |
Evaluate adjuvant candidates in therapeutic and preventive studies in animals. | Adjuvant Discovery Program Murine and guinea pig models of infection and disease, immune assays www.cvmbs.colostate.edu/microbiology/ tb/top.htm | D. Winter C. Sizemore |
Support analysis of human immune responses to and immunopathology of TB to inform surrogate marker and vaccine development. | Human Immunology Centers | H. Quill |
Access to appropriate NIAID Clinical trials contracts | Leverage resources through participation in on-going trials with new product candidates (vaccines, diagnostics, drugs) | M. Makhene |
NIAID DIR clinical protocols | Template protocols for MDR and XDR tuberculosis http://clinicaltrials.gov: NCT00341601, NCT00425113, NCT00374517 | M. Paulson |