Dr Jeanne Salje at the University of Cambridge Joins the Fight Against Lyme Disease!
We are delighted to announce that a new dedicated research programme led by Dr Jeanne Salje at the Cambridge Institute for Medical Research (CIMR), part of the University of Cambridge, will explore the cell biology of Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria that cause Lyme disease.
The research is part-funded by Lyme Resource Centre (LRC) and Lyme Disease UK (LDUK).
While global research continues to investigate pressing issues around diagnosis, treatment, and persistent symptoms, more work must take place closer to home. Uncovering the specific traits of the Borrelia species causing disease right here in the UK will provide the essential foundational knowledge required to help design more effective interventions.
This work will provide the crucial data needed to fuel larger grant proposals and build world-class expertise in Cambridge. As interest among UK researchers continues to grow, it will help to pave the way for improved tests and treatments for UK patients.
Read our summary of the key research priorities and learn more about Dr Salje below.
Key research priorities
Establish a dedicated UK research programme focused on the cell biology of Borrelia, providing the experimental tools, expertise and preliminary data needed to progress research into Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto, B. garinii and B. afzelii - the pathogens mainly causing Lyme disease within the UK.
Apply modern approaches and advanced imaging to investigate how these bacteria fundamentally differ, grow, remodel their cell walls, interact with host tissues, adapt during infection, and cause inflammatory disease. A key focus will be on peptidoglycan in the Borrelia cell wall and how it persists in human tissues after infection to fuel inflammatory responses.
Create experimental systems to study Borrelia in association with both tick and mammalian cells.
Build a unique UK and European research programme to establish a strong scientific evidence base and internationally recognised expertise here in the UK, complementing existing international research. Create a sustainable, nationally and internationally funded research platform over the longer term, to drive innovation in diagnostics, vaccines and new treatments.
Dr Jeanne Salje
From scrub typhus to Lyme disease
Dr Salje is a world expert on vector-borne bacteria. Her work has focused on the cellular mechanics of Rickettsiales - specifically Orientia tsutsugamushi, the bacteria responsible for the life-threatening disease scrub typhus, which is endemic throughout Asia.
Dr Salje's research spans genomics and bacterial physiology through to the infection cycle and mechanisms of disease. Despite its prevalence and severity, Orientia tsutsugamushi is relatively understudied. However, Dr Salje's research group has made major breakthroughs, developing new diagnostic tools and testing methods to detect and investigate this challenging pathogen.
There are some striking biological and clinical parallels between Orientia tsutsugamushi and Borrelia burgdorferi. With these deep overlaps, Dr Salje's advanced toolsets and expertise translate exceptionally well to Lyme disease research.
A special thank you to our donors
The Lyme Resource Centre extends sincere thanks to the Charitable Trusts and private donors who have kindly awarded funds, allowing us to contribute to this important research.
The remarkable generosity of our many supporters has contributed to a wide range of projects, for which we are extremely grateful.
If you would like to support our work, please donate to Lyme Resource Centre here:
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