Pathogen Images

This micrograph shows the basis capitulum (the “head”) of a deer tick, Ixodes dammini, which is the vector of Lyme disease. This tick specimen would normally be much darker, but in this prep it has been cleared of much of its pigment to reveal morphological characteristics such as the auriculae near the base which are diagnostic of the Northern form of this species. The Rich lab studies population genetics and functional genomics of this tick and is working to develop a vaccine to protect against its bite.