GLA Research Grantees

Investigating Risk of Neuropsychiatric Manifestations Following a Lyme Disease Diagnosis in Pediatric Patients Using National-Level TriNetX Data and Johns Hopkins Medicine EHR Data

This national study will examine how Lyme disease is associated with mental and behavioral health symptoms in children on a large, population scale. By generating the first comprehensive dataset of its kind, the project is designed to provide evidence to better inform future identification and care strategies for clinicians and families.

Defining Neuroimmune Mechanisms Driving Chronic Pain and Nerve Damage in Borrelia Infection and PTLDS

This highly innovative project investigates how Lyme bacteria may trigger lasting nerve damage and chronic pain by mapping interactions between the immune and nervous systems. The team aims to establish the first rigorously characterized animal model dedicated to persistent Lyme symptoms, opening the door to new treatment targets and accelerating the development of future therapies.

Elucidating the molecular underpinnings of gut dysbiosis secondary to borreliosis

This project is exploring how Lyme infection and commonly used antibiotics may disrupt the gut microbiome and weaken the intestinal barrier, potentially driving inflammation throughout the body. The findings could pave the way for developing microbiome-based diagnostics and innovative therapies that restore balance and improve recovery.

Manipulating Lyme Borrelia Bacteriophages for Use as Antibacterial Therapy

This project is focused on engineering bacteriophages, naturally occurring viruses that infect bacteria, to selectively target and destroy Lyme bacteria without harming beneficial microbes. If successful, this work could launch a new generation of highly targeted, antibiotic-free treatments for Lyme and potentially other bacterial diseases.

A point of care test to differentiate an active, acute infection, from chronic Lyme disease

This project is developing a simple point-of-care test to distinguish active Lyme infection from prior infection. This breakthrough tool could enable faster, more accurate treatment decisions, reduce unnecessary antibiotic use, and bring clarity to families and clinicians.

Accelerating insights into molecular diagnostics and pathogenesis of Lyme disease with TBDCapSeq

This project is using advanced genetic sequencing technology to identify which strains of Lyme bacteria are most likely to cause severe or widespread illness. His research could enable precision diagnostics, earlier risk detection, and more personalized treatment strategies for patients in the future.