Lyme Disease Tick's Acquisition of Ancient Antibiotic Gene Protects Them against Human Skin Bacteria
A tick on a blade of grass, waiting for passing prey. [Matt Pinski] Blood-sucking ticks spread a wider range of microbes to humans and other vertebrates than do any other known insect, causing a multitude of diseases in people and livestock. But a question that has puzzled scientists is how do the ticks protect themselves from potential pathogens they encounter on and in their hosts? A research team led by Seemay Chou, PhD, assistant professor of biochemistry and biophysics at the University of...
Source: genengnews.com