Oklahoma Heavily Invested in Tick Research Regarding Lyme
Vaccine Research Conducted at Both OU & OSU
Basic Info with link to detail
OSU Students Complete Summer NIH Research Program
Thursday, 02 August 2007 - STILLWATER, Okla.—Seven veterinary students from OSU’s Center for Veterinary Health Sciences attended the National Institutes of Health and Merck-Merial National Veterinary Scholar Symposium in Bethesda, Md, Aug. 1-4. The students just completed a 12 week research program designed to give 1st and 2nd year veterinary students the opportunity to conduct a research project for the summer with mentoring by a Veterinary Center faculty member. Participants worked on projects in either basic or clinical science areas. Projects included: ... Lyme disease ....
Read More... http://osu.okstate.edu/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=725&Itemid=90
OSU Researcher: Susan E. Little, Pathobiology Dept.
Professor Susan E. Little, DVM, Oklahoma State University, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Pathobiology Dept., 250 McElroy Hall, Stillwater, OK 74078
Research conducted on:
Natural History of Borrelia lonestari
Diagnosis of Borrelia lonestari
Transmission of Ehrlichia canis by Rhipicephalus sanguineus
Ehrlichia ewingii Infection and Exposure Rates in Dogs
Research Sponsors include: NIH NIAID, Bayer Animal Health, and IDEXX
Click link above for a brief explanation on each research project.
OSU Scientist: Dr. Jose de la Fuente, Pathobiology
OSU Scientist Developing Tick Vaccine
Dr. de la Fuente is working on a vaccine for the medically important tick, Ixodes scapularis, which transmits Lyme disease and human granulocytic ehrlichiosis, among other illnesses.
OSU Researcher: Katherine Kocan, Pathobiology Dept.
Prof. Katherine M. Kocan, Ph.D., Regents Professor & Walter R. Sitlington Endowed Chair of Food Animal Research
Department of Veterinary Pathobiology 250 McElroy Hall Center for Veterinary Health Sciences Oklahoma State University Stillwater, OK 74078
OSU Researcher: A.Alan Kocan, Parasitology (Deceased 2005)
A. Alan Kocan — Professor, Parasitology. Ph.D. (University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, 1973). Major Interests: infectious parasitic diseases of wild animals; tick-transmitted diseases of wild animals; <LAYER id=google-toolbar-hilite-0 style="COLOR: black; BACKGROUND-COLOR: yellow">lyme</LAYER> borreliosis in domestic and wild animals.
Another first for OSU tick research
The saliva of another arthropod, the tick, has been getting much attention by members of OSU's Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology for years. Recent progress includes identifying anti-coagulants in the saliva, which keeps the victim's blood flowing so the tick can feed.
With support from the Sarkey's Professorship, the OAES, and the National Institute of Health, OSU researchers have identified a receptor protein in the tick salivary gland called prostaglandin E2. This is the first prostaglandin receptor identification in an invertebrate animal. The researchers believe it is important in helping the tick secrete the protein required to produce the anti-coagulant in its saliva.
The ultimate goal is to block that pathway and create a way to control the tick. Additionally, these mechanisms may be used by pathogens such as Lyme organisms or Rickettsia that cause Rocky Mountain spotted fever. These organisms are opportunistic on what the tick is doing in its daily life, and researchers hope to deny them the opportunity to cause death, pain, and loss of profit.
OSU Researcher: Timothy O'Connell, NREM
Timothy John O’Connell, Assistant Professor, Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management (NREM) , Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078-3015
Nov. 2005 – Aug. 2006: Co-Principal Investigator (with USEPA biologist Laura Jackson) on an analysis of Lyme Disease infection rates correlated with breeding songbird integrity in Maryland.
OSU Student: George B.Schoeler - Dissertation/These on Lyme Borreliosis
George Bernard Schoeler - Dissertations & Theses (2000)
Modulation of the host immune response by Ixodes scapularis or Ixodes pacificus, North American vectors of lyme borreliosis
ETD Collection for Oklahoma State University
http://e-archive.library.okstate.edu/dissertations/AAI9979182/
Morgellons Research at OSU Leads Nation
Morgellons disease, a little-known and often discounted illness, lacks the solid scientific data needed to point to a definitive cause. Randy S. Wymore, Ph.D., assistant professor of pharmacology and physiology has taken on the research challenge as volunteer director of research for the Morgellons Research Foundation. “Health care providers are shooting in the dark as to how to treat it. Antibiotics seem to help some, but if they are stopped the symptoms come back,” Wymore says. In coordinating research efforts, he sees a research challenge and a chance to help.
For more information: www.healthsciences.okstate.edu/morgellons
Morgellons Research Foundation: www.morgellons.org
Historical Research Conducted in Oklahoma
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