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Updated: May 24, 2026
Feeding of Ticks on Animals for Transmission and Xenodiagnosis in Lyme Disease Research
Published on: August 31, 2013
CSM murray award lecture - functional studies of the Lyme disease spirochete - from molecules to mice
1Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, and Department of Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, University of Calgary, Canada. Chaconas@ucalgary.ca
Abstract:
Lyme borreliosis, also known as Lyme disease, is now the most common vector transmitted disease in the northern hemisphere. It is caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi and related species. In addition to their clinical importance, these organisms are fascinating to study because of the wide variety of unusual features they possess. Ongoing work in the laboratory in several areas will be described. (1) The segmented genomes contain up to two dozen genetic elements, the majority of which are linear with covalently closed hairpin ends. These linear DNAs also display a very high degree of ongoing genetic rearrangement. Mechanisms for these processes will be described. (2) Persistent infection by Borrelia species requires antigenic variation through a complex DNA rearrangement process at the vlsE locus on the linear plasmid lp28-1. Novel features of this recombination process will be presented. (3) Evidence for a new global regulatory pathway of B. burgdorferi gene expression that is required for pathogenicity will be described. The DEAH box RNA helicase HrpA is involved in this pathway, which may be relevant in other bacteria. (4) The mechanism of B. burgdorferi to effectively disseminate throughout its host is being studied in real time by high resolution intravital imaging in live mice. Recent work will be presented.
Insights
Lyme disease, a common tick-borne illness caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, presents unique genomic and pathogenic features. Ongoing research explores its genetic rearrangements, antigenic variation, gene regulation, and dissemination mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Genetics
- Pathogenesis
Background:
- Lyme borreliosis is the most common vector-borne disease in the Northern Hemisphere.
- Caused by Borrelia burgdorferi and related species, these spirochetes possess unusual biological features.
- Understanding these features is crucial for developing effective treatments and prevention strategies.
Discussion:
- Investigates mechanisms of genetic rearrangement in segmented Borrelia genomes.
- Examines antigenic variation via DNA recombination at the vlsE locus for persistent infection.
- Identifies a novel global regulatory pathway involving DEAH box RNA helicase HrpA for Borrelia burgdorferi pathogenicity.
- Utilizes high-resolution intravital imaging to study Borrelia burgdorferi dissemination in real-time within live mice.
Key Insights:
- Novel insights into Borrelia burgdorferi genome plasticity and recombination.
- Discovery of a new regulatory pathway crucial for bacterial pathogenesis.
- Real-time visualization of pathogen dissemination provides a dynamic understanding of infection progression.
Outlook:
- Further research into Borrelia burgdorferi genetic mechanisms and regulatory pathways.
- Potential for novel therapeutic targets based on identified pathogenicity factors.
- Advancements in understanding vector-borne disease dynamics and host-pathogen interactions.
