Dr. Kim Lewis of Northeastern University. Dr. Lewis will present research on two developing treatments for Lyme disease. Acute Lyme disease caused by the spirochete B. burgdorferi is treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics such as doxycycline, but about 10% of patients go on to develop a chronic disease with autoimmune disease-like symptoms. Our experiments suggest that B. burgdorferi affects the gut microbiome, and this microbiome is further damaged by the broad-spectrum antibiotics used to treat acute Lyme disease- resulting in a change to the immune system with symptoms of a chronic disease. We are developing two treatments– a microbiome therapeutic, and a selective antibiotic to target acute Lyme disease. To learn more about Dr. Lewis’ work, visit the lab website here.