Research Goals
NIAID supports research in the following areas to improve tuberculosis diagnosis, control and prevention.
Basic Research
Encourage and support meritorious investigator-initiated research directed toward improving the knowledge about TB and how it afflicts humans. Target research to combine fundamental science and translational studies for the development and evaluation of new health care interventions to combat and prevent multidrug-resistant and drug-sensitive TB, as emphasized in the strategic plan for NIAID Category C biodefense/emerging infections. Provide, through contract support, high quality standardized research materials to qualified investigators to facilitate fundamental and translational research in TB, provide expertise in TB immunology, genomics and post-genomics, target identification and tools development to help select and characterize new TB health care interventions.
Vaccine Development and Evaluation
Support fundamental and clinical research leading to the development and testing of (an) effective new vaccine(s) for the prevention and control of TB. Provide, through contract support, facilities and resources for screening TB vaccine candidates in appropriate animal models and, as part of NIAID’s public-private partnerships, support the development and optimization of advanced stage vaccine candidates for preclinical and IND enabling studies. Encourage research to enhance the effectiveness of the immune response to intracellular pathogenic organisms such as mycobacteria or related and model organisms.
Adjuvant/Antigen Identification
Promote vaccine-relevant research to identify dominant mycobacterial antigens and novel adjuvants that induce protective cellular immune responses. Support research on the identification of genes expressed in immune responses to mycobacterial infection, especially soluble proteins that might be used in vaccination or treatment of the disease.
Diagnosis
Support the development of improved diagnostic tools for early diagnosis and monitoring of infection and disease progression for drug-resistant and drug-sensitive TB. Promote research on the development of immunological reagents for early diagnosis and monitoring of disease.
Epidemiology
Support research, including the development of new molecular tools, to assess the factors influencing the occurrence, distribution, and transmission of drug-sensitive and drug-resistant Mtb strains.
Animal Models
Support research to improve animal models of infection and disease for use in the study of virulence and pathogenicity of drug-sensitive and drug-resistant Mtb, and for the evaluation of candidate anti-TB therapies and vaccines.
Drug Discovery, Development and Treatment
Provide contract resources for evaluation of new candidate antibiotics against Mtb in laboratory assays and in animal models of infection and disease [DAIDS]. Support research on mechanisms of drug resistance and activity, early target identification and verification, and clinical testing of prophylactic and therapeutic anti-TB regimens.
Clinical Research on Therapeutic Interventions in HIV/TB
Foster and support clinical research to evaluate and improve effectiveness of regimens for treatment and prophylaxis of Mtb, especially MDR-TB, in the setting of HIV co-infection.
Technology Transfer
Accelerate development and commercialization of candidate TB treatments identified through NIAID TB drug screening contracts or otherwise developed at NIH, universities, and nonprofit laboratories.
Training
Promote training to increase the number, and improve the skills, of TB basic and clinical researchers.
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