Scientists Studying Engineered Mice to Curb Lyme Disease Spread

MIT researchers are exploring whether genetically engineered mice could help reduce the spread of Lyme disease, the most common vector-borne illness in North America.

Researchers behind the project say white-footed mice are a major reservoir for the bacteria that causes Lyme disease, infecting ticks that later bite humans. The effort aims to create mice that are born with protective antibodies and can pass immunity to future generations, potentially interrupting transmission cycles.

The project, called Mice Against Ticks, is being developed with input from offshore island communities that could host future field trials. Community representatives are helping select antibodies, identify uninhabited islands for testing and choose independent monitors for the research.

Scientists say any future trials would depend on local approval and oversight. If the approach proves effective, researchers say it could eventually be expanded beyond islands to mainland areas where Lyme disease is widespread.

The project’s organizers say they hope the effort can also serve as a model for how communities and scientists collaborate on public health research.

Source: MIT.edu