Understanding how tick-borne bacteria adapt within their tick hosts.
Official title: Delineating adaptive mechanisms of tick-borne relapsing fever spirochetes within the argasid vector.
Funded at Baylor College of Medicine · NIH-10991025 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how certain bacteria that cause tick-borne relapsing fever manage to live and grow inside ticks, helping us learn more about these germs so we can better tackle tick-related illnesses.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | November 21, 2023 |
| Project end | October 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $200,625 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI174279-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10991025 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals living in areas where tick-borne relapsing fever is prevalent or those who have been diagnosed with related tick-borne illnesses.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not live in endemic areas or who are not affected by tick-borne diseases may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how tick-borne relapsing fever spirochetes, which are significant pathogens, adapt to survive within their tick hosts, specifically the Ornithodoros species. By examining the unique environments of the tick's midgut and salivary glands, the study aims to uncover the mechanisms that allow these bacteria to persist and thrive. The research employs functional genomics approaches to analyze the interactions between the spirochetes and their tick vectors, which could lead to better understanding and management of tick-borne diseases.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for preventing and treating tick-borne diseases in humans.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding microbial adaptation in other vector-borne diseases, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lopez, Job E — Baylor College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Lopez, Job E
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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.