NatCapLyme awarded a second grant to support the work of Ying Zhang, M.D., Ph.D. from the Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University. His group developed a new high throughput assay which allowed identification of a range of FDA-approved drugs that have excellent activity against Borrelia burgdorferi persisters. This finding has generated considerable interest and may offer new opportunity to improve treatment of persistent Lyme. In collaboration with colleagues, he is interested in evaluating the promising candidate drugs in combinations in animal models and also in patients for more effective treatment of Lyme disease. 

NatCapLyme sponsored first-time attending physician attendance at the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society 2016 Scientific Conference “Lyme Disease Fundamentals Course” in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  Physicians from around the country were awarded grants for their participation and returned to their communities better prepared to treat their patients.

NatCapLyme supported other local and national advocacy organizations’ efforts to raise awareness about Lyme and tick-borne diseases.  We supported the Mayday Project for their 2016 IDSA and CDC protest event in Washington, DC, as well as funded their children’s day at the National Zoological Park providing education on ticks and preventative techniques.