Understanding how tick immune cells respond to Rickettsia parkeri infection
Official title: The Role of Hemocytes in tick Rickettsia parkeri infection
Funded at University of Southern Mississippi · NIH-10993667 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how tick immune cells respond to a specific germ that can cause diseases in humans, with the goal of finding new ways to stop ticks from spreading these illnesses, especially as tick-borne diseases are becoming more common.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Southern Mississippi NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hattiesburg, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2023 |
| Project end | October 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $185,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI175885-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10993667 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals living in areas where tick-borne diseases are prevalent, particularly those at risk of Rickettsia parkeri infection.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not live in tick-endemic regions or who are not at risk for tick-borne diseases may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the immune response of tick hemocytes, which are similar to human immune cells, to the Rickettsia parkeri pathogen. By analyzing how these immune cells interact with the infection, the study aims to uncover new strategies to prevent the transmission of tick-borne diseases. The researchers will utilize advanced techniques like RNA sequencing to identify immune factors that could be targeted for developing new treatments or preventive measures against these infections. This work is particularly important as tick-borne diseases are on the rise due to climate change.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new methods for preventing tick-borne diseases in humans.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific focus on tick hemocytes and Rickettsia parkeri is relatively novel, similar research on tick immunity has shown promise in understanding vector-borne diseases.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Southern Mississippi
Hattiesburg, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Karim, Shahid — University of Southern Mississippi
- Study coordinator: Karim, Shahid
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.