Dr. Hu’s laboratory studies host-pathogen interactions of the organism Borrelia burgdorferi. His laboratory is interested in both how the organism responds and adapts to its changing environments, as well as the impact of the host immune response to B. burgdorferi on manifestations of disease. There are currently three major projects on-going in the laboratory, each with independent NIH funding. The projects are:

1). Co-opting of host proteases by Borrelia burgdorferi: utilization of host inflammatory responses in the pathogenesis of Lyme arthritis

2). The role of the oligopeptide permease (Opp) transporter of B. burgdorferi in environmental sensing, signaling and adaptation

3). Reduction of vector and reservoir competence for carriage of Borrelia burgdorferi: development of a vaccine for mice in wild-life settings

See more information about the Hu Lab.