Archive · 2 Feb 2026
3D Lung Model Advances TB Drug Testing in India
Scientists in India have created a 3D model of the lung to study tuberculosis (TB) better.
This model uses a special gel that acts like real lung tissue.
Unlike old flat models, this new 3D model shows how TB bacteria and human cells behave more like they do in real patients.
This helps researchers test drugs more effectively.
The model can also be used to test drugs against drug-resistant TB bacteria.
India has a high number of TB cases, so this new model could help find better treatments faster.
The researchers plan to use this model to study how TB forms tight clusters in the lung, which can make it harder for drugs to work.
Researchers at IISc, Bengaluru developed a 3D lung model using collagen gel to mimic lung tissue for TB studies.
The 3D model better reflects TB behavior and drug responses compared to traditional 2D cell cultures.
The model successfully demonstrated the effects of the TB drug Pyrazinamide, which conventional models often miss.
India, with a high TB burden, could benefit significantly from this model for drug testing and treatment development.
The model can potentially be used to test drugs against drug-resistant (DR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) TB bacteria.
- Who
- Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru
- What
- Developed a 3D lung model for TB drug testing
- When
- Current research, with potential future applications
- Where
- India, with global implications
- Why
- To improve TB drug testing and treatment efficacy
- Research Institution
- Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru
- Funding Source
- India Alliance (Department of Biotechnology and Wellcome Trust, UK)
- Model Material
- Soft collagen gel
- Key TB Features Observed
- Fat-filled immune cells and clusters of TB bacteria
- Drug Tested
- Pyrazinamide
- Potential Applications
- Testing drug efficacy against DR and XDR bacteria
- India's TB Burden
- 2.5-3 million cases annually
- Model Advantages
- Modular, scalable, mimics human lung microenvironment