Understanding how the bacteria causing relapsing fever changes to avoid the body's defenses
Characterization of vsp/vlp system of Borrelia recurrentis
This project aims to understand how the bacteria that cause louse-borne relapsing fever change their appearance to hide from the body's immune system.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Michigan State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (East Lansing, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11133045 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Louse-borne relapsing fever is a serious illness, especially in some African countries, that causes repeated fevers. This happens because the bacteria that cause the disease are very clever; they can change their outer coat to hide from the body's immune system, making it hard for antibodies to fight them off. We are working to understand exactly how these bacteria change their appearance, which is a big mystery right now. To do this, we've created a special mouse model that mimics the disease's relapses, allowing us to closely watch these changes. By mapping the bacteria's genes, we hope to uncover the specific parts that enable them to evade our defenses.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is not directly recruiting patients but focuses on understanding a disease that affects individuals in African nations.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have louse-borne relapsing fever would not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Learning how these bacteria change could help us develop new ways to treat louse-borne relapsing fever or create a vaccine to prevent it.
How similar studies have performed: While similar systems have been studied in related bacteria, the specific mechanism for Borrelia recurrentis is largely unknown, making this a novel area of focus.
Where this research is happening
East Lansing, United States
- Michigan State University — East Lansing, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rogovsky, Artem S — Michigan State University
- Study coordinator: Rogovsky, Artem S
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.