How blacklegged tick immune and metabolic signals affect spread of Lyme disease and anaplasmosis
Ixodes scapularis Immuno-Developmental and Metabolic Signaling Pathways and Interference with Ticks and Tick-borne Pathogens
Researchers are looking at how signals inside blacklegged ticks control their growth and ability to carry and pass on Lyme disease and anaplasmosis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| 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-11267985 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This multi-center project focuses on the blacklegged tick (Ixodes scapularis) and the internal signaling pathways that shape its development, metabolism, and immune responses. Scientists will study how molecules from mammals (like cytokines) trigger tick receptors and change the tick's ability to harbor and transmit Borrelia (Lyme) and Anaplasma pathogens. The team uses molecular tools including RNA interference to silence specific tick receptors and extracellular molecules and watches how that affects tick feeding and pathogen transmission. Results from lab and animal experiments will guide ideas for new ways to interrupt ticks so they are less likely to infect people.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants would be people who live or work in tick‑endemic areas and are willing to provide samples or take part in related prevention studies at collaborating research sites.
Not a fit: People already living with long‑term symptoms of Lyme disease are unlikely to see direct short‑term clinical benefits from this basic tick biology research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new approaches that prevent ticks from feeding or passing on Lyme disease and anaplasmosis, reducing human infections.
How similar studies have performed: Prior laboratory work by the team has shown that knocking down certain tick receptors with RNA interference can disrupt tick feeding and reduce pathogen transmission, but translating those findings into human prevention tools is still early.
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.