Investigating how Lyme disease bacteria adapt to their hosts
Official title: Functional and Mechanistic Studies of the Role of Lp17-encoded Factors in Host Adaptation by the Lyme Disease Spirochete
Funded at Washington State University · NIH-10792282 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the bacteria that cause Lyme disease change and survive in different hosts, including people, to help us understand how the disease develops and lasts in patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pullman, United States) |
| Project start | July 12, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $382,500 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AI175072-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10792282 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have been diagnosed with Lyme disease or are at risk of infection.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have Lyme disease or are not at risk of exposure to ticks may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how the Lyme disease-causing bacteria, Borrelia burgdorferi, adapt to different hosts, including humans. The team will explore specific genetic factors that influence the bacteria's ability to survive and thrive in various environments. By examining the role of certain genes and their expression, the research aims to uncover mechanisms that allow the bacteria to effectively establish infections. This could lead to insights into how Lyme disease develops and persists in patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for preventing and treating Lyme disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding bacterial adaptation mechanisms, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington State University
Pullman, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bankhead, Troy Michael — Washington State University
- Study coordinator: Bankhead, Troy Michael
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Understanding why some people have ongoing symptoms after Lyme disease
A long-term study follows people diagnosed with acute Lyme disease to see who develops persistent symptoms and why, with care from a team of Lyme experts.
-
CSF Protein Map in Post-Treatment Lyme Disease
A short study to map proteins in spinal fluid of people who had Lyme disease and still feel sick after standard treatment, to understand what’s going on.
-
Lyme disease vaccine research aimed at preventing infection
Researchers are developing a Lyme disease vaccine by studying how the immune system responds to Borrelia burgdorferi and testing vaccine approaches to prevent illness.
-
Lyme disease brain health: tracking brain signals and blood clues after treatment
This study follows people with early Lyme disease and compares them to healthy volunteers to see how the brain and blood markers change over a year after starting antibiotics.
-
Lyme disease symptoms lingering after treatment may be driven by special bacterial fragments
A human-friendly look at a study exploring why some Lyme patients keep symptoms after antibiotics and whether tiny fragments from the bacteria are to blame.
-
Understanding Lyme disease immune signals to predict recovery after antibiotics
A research project at MIT aims to find immune biomarkers that tell which Lyme patients will recover after standard antibiotics and who might have lasting symptoms.
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.