How the Lyme disease bacterium controls its harmful genes
Global virulence regulatory network in the Lyme disease pathogen
Researchers are mapping how the Lyme bacterium turns on and off the genes that help it survive in ticks and cause infection in people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of South Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tampa, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11252890 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team is studying a bacterial protein called BosR that helps Borrelia burgdorferi switch on disease-related genes during the tick-to-mammal cycle. They will map which genes BosR controls, study the DNA sequences that regulate bosR itself, and determine how BosR binds DNA using molecular and structural lab techniques. Work will include experiments in tick and animal models and biochemical and genetic assays in the laboratory. Results aim to show how the bacterium adapts between tick and mammal environments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Although this project is laboratory and animal-focused and does not enroll people, patients with confirmed Lyme disease or recent tick exposure could be candidates for future clinical studies that build on these findings.
Not a fit: People with conditions unrelated to Lyme disease or non-Borrelia infections are unlikely to benefit directly from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new targets to prevent or treat Lyme disease by blocking the bacterium's ability to turn on infection-related genes.
How similar studies have performed: Previous molecular studies of bacterial regulatory proteins have helped reveal infection mechanisms, but the specific BosR regulatory mechanisms being targeted here are newly characterized and represent novel work.
Where this research is happening
Tampa, United States
- University of South Florida — Tampa, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ouyang, Zhiming — University of South Florida
- Study coordinator: Ouyang, Zhiming
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.