Developing a vaccine to prevent Lyme disease
Peptide-vaccine development against Lyme disease
This study is working on a new vaccine to help prevent Lyme disease, which is spread by tick bites, by finding parts of the bacteria that cause the illness and testing them in mice to see if they can safely trigger a strong immune response in people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | West Virginia University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Morgantown, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10821496 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating a vaccine for Lyme disease, which is caused by the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria transmitted through tick bites. The team will identify specific proteins from the bacteria that can trigger an immune response and develop peptide antigens based on these proteins. They will test these antigens in mice to ensure they are effective and safe, aiming to create a vaccine that can prevent Lyme disease in humans. The research involves advanced techniques like RNA sequencing to pinpoint the most relevant bacterial genes during infection.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals at risk of Lyme disease, particularly those living in endemic areas or with a history of tick exposure.
Not a fit: Patients who have already been diagnosed with Lyme disease and are currently experiencing its symptoms may not benefit directly from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to an effective vaccine that prevents Lyme disease and its associated debilitating symptoms.
How similar studies have performed: While there have been various attempts to develop vaccines for Lyme disease, this approach utilizing peptide antigens is relatively novel and has not yet been widely tested.
Where this research is happening
Morgantown, United States
- West Virginia University — Morgantown, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Barbier, Mariette — West Virginia University
- Study coordinator: Barbier, Mariette
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.