# Animal Models Core

> **NIH NIH U19** · BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL · 2021 · $324,288

## Abstract

The Animal Models Core (D) is located within the Mycobacteriology Laboratory on the campus of Colorado 
State University. The Animal Infection Core is multidisciplinary with the expertise, personnel and facilities to 
model Mtb infection in guinea pigs with drug susceptible and resistant human clinical isolates as well as 
laboratory Mtb strains with targeted gene mutations. Our laboratory is also experienced and well equipped to 
model Mtb infection in guinea pigs with concurrent non-communicable diseases that are known TB risk 
factors in humans. Relevant to this proposal, we have developed the first ever model of Mtb infection in 
guinea pigs with diet-induced insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes that accurately mimics the comorbidity 
of tuberculosis and emerging noncommunicable diseases. In addition, we have designed and validated novel 
strategies to quantify pulmonary and extra-pulmonary tuberculosis disease burden in guinea pigs in 
response to experimental aerosol infection with drug susceptible and multi-drug resistant strains of 
Mycobacterium tuberculosis. We have recently characterized the profound alterations in systemic and 
cellular metabolism in response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection alone and demonstrated how 
preexisting alterations in host metabolism influences host susceptibility and in vivo disease progression. The 
Animal Models Core will parallel human cohort studies to 1) identify host metabolic determinants of 
tuberculosis disease control and progression and 2) use metabolomics to discover bacterial determinates of 
drug resistance and the discovery of host- and pathogen-derived biomarkers for tuberculosis diagnosis. 
Using the guinea pig model to study altered host metabolism associated with Mycobacterium tuberculosis 
infection has not only improved our understanding of the host-pathogen interaction but has identified 
potentially important therapeutic strategies that can be used as adjunct therapy in combination with 
conventional antimicrobial drug therapy. To fully exploit this model, the substantial existing core capabilities 
will be expanded to discover and validate additional biomarkers of altered host metabolism in guinea pigs 
infected with drug susceptible and drug resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10089395
- **Project number:** 5U19AI111224-07
- **Recipient organization:** BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL
- **Principal Investigator:** Randall J Basaraba
- **Activity code:** U19 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $324,288
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2015-02-01 → 2022-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10089395

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10089395, Animal Models Core (5U19AI111224-07). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10089395. Licensed CC0.

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