Developing vaccines to prevent Lyme disease caused by ticks
Multivalent Tick-Microbe targeted Lyme disease vaccines
This study is working on a new vaccine to help protect people from Lyme disease, which is spread by tick bites, by using parts of both the bacteria and the ticks to boost your immune system, making it especially important for those who suffer from lingering symptoms after treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Maryland, College Park NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (College Park, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10653877 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating a new vaccine to protect against Lyme disease, which is caused by the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria transmitted through tick bites. The approach involves using selected antigens from both the bacteria and the ticks to stimulate an immune response. By targeting both the pathogen and its vector, the researchers aim to enhance the effectiveness of the vaccine. This project is particularly important as Lyme disease continues to be a significant health issue, with many patients experiencing ongoing symptoms even after treatment.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals living in areas where Lyme disease is prevalent, particularly those who are frequently exposed to ticks.
Not a fit: Patients who have already been diagnosed with chronic Lyme disease and are experiencing persistent symptoms may not benefit directly from this vaccine development.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to an effective vaccine that significantly reduces the incidence of Lyme disease and its associated complications.
How similar studies have performed: While there have been previous attempts to develop Lyme disease vaccines, this approach of targeting both the pathogen and the tick vector is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
College Park, United States
- Univ of Maryland, College Park — College Park, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pal, Utpal — Univ of Maryland, College Park
- Study coordinator: Pal, Utpal
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.