Giving long-lasting Lyme protection to wild white-footed mice
Heritable immunization of the white-footed mouse reservoir of Lyme disease
Researchers aim to create a one-time genetic immunization for white-footed mice to cut the number of infected ticks and lower Lyme disease risk for people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts Institute of Technology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cambridge, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11172237 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project plans to genetically encode protective antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi into the germline of white-footed mice so that offspring inherit Lyme protection. The team will combine multiple antibodies targeting the bacteria's outer surface protein A (OspA) to reduce the chance the bacteria can evolve around the protection. Work will include laboratory genetic engineering and controlled field studies tracking infection rates in mice and ticks. The goal is that fewer infected ticks will mean fewer opportunities for people to get Lyme disease over many years.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who live, work, or spend time in Lyme-endemic regions—especially in areas with many ticks—would be most likely to benefit.
Not a fit: People who live outside areas with white-footed mice or where Lyme is rare, or whose symptoms are from other causes, are unlikely to see direct benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could durably lower the number of infected ticks and reduce human cases of Lyme disease in treated areas.
How similar studies have performed: Oral vaccination of wild mice and past human OspA vaccines have lowered tick infection in some settings, but permanently encoding antibodies into wild mice is a novel and largely untested strategy.
Where this research is happening
Cambridge, United States
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology — Cambridge, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Esvelt, Kevin — Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Study coordinator: Esvelt, Kevin
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.