New Paths for Diagnosing and Treating Lyme Disease with Brandon Jutras, PhD

New Paths for Diagnosing and Treating Lyme Disease with Brandon Jutras, PhD

Author: Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine February 2, 2026 Duration: 27:02

Lyme disease, the bacterial infection transmitted by ticks, is the most common vector-borne disease in the United States, with nearly half a million people diagnosed and treated each year, according to the CDC. Two pivotal studies on Lyme disease from the lab of Brandon Jutras, PhD, provide important insights into what may cause persistent Lyme disease symptoms in a subset of patients. This research points to some promising new directions for both diagnosis and therapeutic intervention.


Tune into Breakthroughs for a direct line to the labs and minds at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Each episode pulls back the curtain on the process of discovery, letting you hear directly from the researchers themselves as they explain the questions that keep them up at night and the moments of insight that change everything. This isn't just about announcing findings; it's about understanding the human effort behind them. You'll get a clear sense of how a single study can ripple out, influencing treatments and shifting our entire approach to wellness. The conversations in this podcast are grounded in the belief that transforming medicine starts with asking better questions. From detailed explorations of cellular mechanisms to broader discussions on public health, the content connects the dots between specialized science and its real-world impact. Listen for thoughtful dialogue that makes complex topics accessible, always pointing toward a future where health is improved for entire communities. Produced by Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, this series is for anyone curious about the tangible steps science is taking right now to create a healthier tomorrow.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Breakthroughs
Podcast Episodes
Understanding the Immune System with Stephanie Eisenbarth, MD, PhD [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:51
Uniting scientists and harnessing the power of the immune system to fight disease is at the heart of the new Center for Human Immunobiology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Stephanie Eisenbarth, MD…
Improving Health Outcomes Through Big Data with Theresa Walunas, PhD [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:54
In recent years, Feinberg has launched several initiatives to augment human expertise with computational methods and advance the science of human health. Theresa Walunas, PhD, explains how she is using big data from elec…
Cell-Based Treatments to Fight Diseases with Luisa Iruela-Arispe, PhD [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:14
Cell and Developmental Biology is a field that's integral to finding new therapies for a wide variety of diseases. At Feinberg, Lusia Iruela-Arispe, PhD, a vascular biologist, leads the Department of Cell and Development…