Tick's friendly bacteria that may make natural antibiotics
Investigating putative antimicrobial product biosynthesis in a tick endosymbiont.
This project looks at whether a common bacterium inside blacklegged ticks makes antibiotic-like compounds that keep disease-causing microbes away, which could help people at risk of tick-borne infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11231729 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
As someone worried about tick-borne infections, this research looks at Rickettsia buchneri, a bacterium inside blacklegged ticks, to see if it makes antibiotic-like chemicals. Scientists will analyze the bacterium's genes, grow it in tick cell cultures, and test any compounds against tick-borne germs such as Rickettsia parkeri and Anaplasma phagocytophilum. They will also study whether the bacterium changes the tick's immune defenses to reduce infections. This is laboratory-based work at the university and does not involve giving treatments to people.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who live in or visit areas with blacklegged ticks and are at risk for tick-borne diseases would be most likely to benefit from advances arising from this work.
Not a fit: People needing immediate treatment for infection or those with non–tick-related illnesses should not expect direct benefit from this early laboratory research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to new ways to block tick-borne infections or inspire new antibiotic drugs derived from the tick bacterium.
How similar studies have performed: Previous genetic analyses and tick-cell observations suggest the endosymbiont limits other pathogens, but its suspected antibiotic products have not yet been isolated or demonstrated.
Where this research is happening
Minneapolis, United States
- University of Minnesota — Minneapolis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cull, Benjamin — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Cull, Benjamin
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.