The length of current TB regimens is based largely on the need to eradicate the slow-growing, dormant populations of M.tb. However, even dormant bacteria need energy to live. Drugs that target the energy-generation process should be good candidates for shortening TB therapy.

The TB drug bedaquiline interferes with the final stage of energy generation - synthesis of the energy-storing molecule ATP. But other parts of the energy-generating pathway - the so-called "electron chain" - are likely to be just as important. In fact, targeting the process nearer its start might be even more powerful. Therefore, the energy metabolism project is looking for drug candidates against not just a single target but the entire energy metabolism pathway. This will significantly improve the chances of finding a promising drug candidate for shortening TB therapy.