Van Andel Institute: How Structural Biology Is Reshaping TB Research and Treatment

31 March 2026

Van Andel Institute news release

Decades of research has resulted in effective TB treatments that save lives. Despite these critical advances, TB remains among the top 10 causes of death, globally. One reason is that the bacteria has evolved new ways to survive by growing resistant to current medications. At the same time, existing treatments are long and demanding, requiring people with TB to take multiple medications every day for six to nine months. For many people, even accessing these medications can be incredibly difficult.

One way to address these challenges is to develop new medications that bypass the bacteria’s defenses. One promising approach may be found in a field called structural biology.

Scientists revealed a new vulnerability in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. They found that the structure of an energy processing enzyme complex in the bacterium is built differently than expected. This is important, because its shape directly impacts how it does its job.

Read the full news release here.

Source: Van Andel Institute