Federal Grant Award Summary

Weill Medical College of Cornell University received a $211,875 Project Grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) under the Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research program (CFDA 93.855), awarded February 20, 2026, with completion scheduled for January 31, 2028. The grant supports research utilizing conditional knockdown mutants of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) in C3HEB/FEJ mice to advance understanding of tuberculosis pathogenesis. The research deliverables include analysis of conditional MTB mutants targeting thioredoxin reductase (TRXB2) and biotin protein ligase (BPL) in mice that develop human-like granulomatous pathology, establishment of genetic latency models to evaluate TB relapse mechanisms, and characterization of how TRXB2 and BPL depletion impacts survival in different lesion microenvironments (necrotic, hypoxic, and caseating granulomas).

This research addresses a critical gap in tuberculosis drug and vaccine development by utilizing mouse models that more accurately replicate human disease pathology compared to standard laboratory strains. The project outputs will provide preclinical evidence regarding essential MTB genes and their role in infection establishment and latency, thereby supporting the identification of novel drug targets and improved treatment strategies for tuberculosis.