Lyme Disease Bacteria Mimic
Briefly; we’ll create a bacteria that will mimic insect specific symbiotic bacteria (Wolbachia) to combat a
vector-borne disease (lyme disease), we will use Drosophila Melanogaster (fruit flies) as our insect
model and proof of principle. To create our mimic, we’ll add surface protein genes that are found in
Wolbachia to BL21 or DH5-alpha cells (we will confirm the surface proteins by ELISA using antibodies
against Wolbachia surface protein). Once our mimic is well established through several fruit fly
generations (we will confirm this by PCR), we will add a fluorescent gene that will be activated by
products generated by the Lyme disease bacteria (we will first do in-vitro studies to make sure it works).
If this works we will do the same work on ticks which are the natural vectors for lyme disease and we
will add another gene that will inactivate the lyme bacteria.
If our insects are released in the wild, they will mate and pass on our mimic bacteria. If they come in
contact with the lyme disease, our ticks will generate the fluorescent marker which flags the insect as a
lyme disease active organism, making them easier to identify and at the same time it will inactivate the
lyme bacteria.
If this works, we will be able to use this technology with other vector-borne disease organisms to combat
Malaria, West Nile Virus, Dengue Fever, Ebola etc.
vector-borne disease (lyme disease), we will use Drosophila Melanogaster (fruit flies) as our insect
model and proof of principle. To create our mimic, we’ll add surface protein genes that are found in
Wolbachia to BL21 or DH5-alpha cells (we will confirm the surface proteins by ELISA using antibodies
against Wolbachia surface protein). Once our mimic is well established through several fruit fly
generations (we will confirm this by PCR), we will add a fluorescent gene that will be activated by
products generated by the Lyme disease bacteria (we will first do in-vitro studies to make sure it works).
If this works we will do the same work on ticks which are the natural vectors for lyme disease and we
will add another gene that will inactivate the lyme bacteria.
If our insects are released in the wild, they will mate and pass on our mimic bacteria. If they come in
contact with the lyme disease, our ticks will generate the fluorescent marker which flags the insect as a
lyme disease active organism, making them easier to identify and at the same time it will inactivate the
lyme bacteria.
If this works, we will be able to use this technology with other vector-borne disease organisms to combat
Malaria, West Nile Virus, Dengue Fever, Ebola etc.