Understanding how the Lyme disease bacteria controls its ability to cause illness
Official title: Global virulence regulatory network in the Lyme disease pathogen
Funded at University of South Florida · NIH-11112693 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the Lyme disease bacteria, Borrelia burgdorferi, changes and survives in ticks and mammals, focusing on a specific protein called BosR that helps it cause infection, with the hope of finding new ways to treat or prevent Lyme disease.
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 start | January 2, 2025 |
| Project end | December 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $509,130 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AI181738-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11112693 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 high risk of infection due to tick exposure.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have chronic Lyme disease symptoms without a confirmed diagnosis or those who are not exposed to ticks may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the regulatory network of Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria responsible for Lyme disease, focusing on how it adapts during its life cycle between ticks and mammals. The study aims to identify key genes and mechanisms that control the bacteria's virulence, particularly the role of a protein called BosR in regulating these genes. By examining how BosR influences the bacteria's ability to infect hosts, the research seeks to uncover potential targets for new treatments or preventive measures against Lyme disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing or treating Lyme disease, improving patient outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in understanding bacterial virulence mechanisms, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of South Florida
Tampa, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ouyang, Zhiming — University of South Florida
- Study coordinator: Ouyang, Zhiming
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.
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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.