Alan G Barbour

Alan G. Barbour, MD, is a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Medicine and holds joint appointments in the Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology (School of Biological Sciences) and the Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics at the University of California, Irvine School of Medicine. His research focuses on the microbiology, pathogenesis, and epidemiology of tick-borne diseases, particularly Lyme disease and relapsing fever caused by Borrelia species. He has extensively studied antigenic variation mechanisms in Borrelia, host-pathogen interactions, and reservoir competence in mammals.

Key research interests include understanding how Borrelia spirochetes evade immune responses, genomic diversity of Borrelia strains, and the role of reservoir hosts like the white-footed deermouse (Peromyscus leucopus) in maintaining zoonotic cycles. His work bridges molecular microbiology, immunology, and ecological studies of disease transmission.

Recent articles highlight investigations into host immune tolerance mechanisms, seroprevalence of Borrelia species in human populations, and genetic studies of reservoir hosts. His findings contribute to improving diagnostics, understanding disease ecology, and informing public health strategies against tick-borne infections.