Understanding how antibodies work against Lyme disease
Antibody-mediated immunity to Borrelia burgdorferi
This study is looking at how your immune system responds to the bacteria that causes Lyme disease, trying to understand why it sometimes has trouble getting rid of the infection even when antibodies are present, so we can learn more about how to help people with Lyme disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11032888 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the immune response to Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria that causes Lyme disease, focusing on how antibodies interact with the immune system. It aims to uncover why the immune system struggles to completely eliminate the infection despite the presence of antibodies. The study will explore the roles of different immune cells and receptors in antibody-mediated protection and how these mechanisms may fail in certain cases. By analyzing the immune responses in infected hosts, the research seeks to identify gaps in our understanding of antibody function and immune protection.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have been diagnosed with Lyme disease or have been exposed to Borrelia burgdorferi.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have Lyme disease or have not been exposed to Borrelia burgdorferi may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments and vaccines for Lyme disease by enhancing our understanding of antibody-mediated immunity.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in understanding immune responses to various infections, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights into Lyme disease immunity.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- Johns Hopkins University — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Baumgarth, Nicole — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Baumgarth, Nicole
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.