How the immune system fights tick-borne rickettsial infections
Molecular basis of immunity to tick-borne rickettsioses
This work seeks to learn how people's immune systems protect them from dangerous bacteria carried by ticks, like those that cause Rocky Mountain spotted fever, to guide better vaccines and treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | State University New York Stony Brook NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stony Brook, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11145963 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you're at risk for tick-borne infections, researchers are trying to find the specific immune cells and molecules that stop rickettsial bacteria from causing severe illness. They use laboratory experiments on immune samples, molecular analyses, and animal models to see which responses give lasting protection. The team is also exploring safer vaccine strategies that avoid earlier whole-cell vaccines' safety problems. Their goal is to turn those findings into targets for vaccines or therapies that prevent serious disease.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who live in or travel to areas where tick-borne rickettsial infections occur, or those with a history of significant tick exposure, would be the most relevant group for future trials or sample donation.
Not a fit: Individuals seeking immediate treatment for an active non-rickettsial infection or those with conditions unrelated to tick-borne rickettsiae are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this basic immunology research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help develop safer, more effective vaccines or immune-based treatments that reduce severe illness and deaths from rickettsial tick-borne diseases.
How similar studies have performed: Past whole-cell rickettsial vaccines showed limited protection and safety concerns, so this molecular approach is relatively new and aims to build on those lessons rather than repeat them.
Where this research is happening
Stony Brook, United States
- State University New York Stony Brook — Stony Brook, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kim, Hwan Keun — State University New York Stony Brook
- Study coordinator: Kim, Hwan Keun
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.