Teenagers from Lambert High School in suburban Atlanta may have discovered a groundbreaking method for detecting and treating Lyme disease, a condition that affects nearly half a million Americans each year. Their innovative approach employs the gene-editing technique known as CRISPR. The students are set to showcase their findings at the international iGEM competition in Paris, where they will compete against teams from countries including China, which is rapidly advancing in biotechnology.
Within the confines of their high school lab, students such as Sean Lee and Avani Karthik are engaging in complex genetic engineering. They have developed a method that aims to improve both the detection and treatment of Lyme disease, which is transmitted by infected ticks and can lead to severe health complications if left untreated. The current diagnostic methods often fail to identify the disease in its early stages, making the search for a reliable solution critical.
Avani Karthik, a senior and team captain, explained, “One of the biggest problems with Lyme is the lack of being able to diagnose it. We’ve met people who went years without a diagnosis.” The team’s strategy focuses on identifying a specific protein generated by the infection. By utilizing CRISPR technology and a simulated blood serum, they can target DNA strands where this protein is present.
The students have also investigated treatment options, moving beyond traditional antibiotics. Their research has led them to consider using CRISPR to directly target the bacteria responsible for Lyme disease. This required the development of software to model the most effective application of CRISPR for their purposes.
At Lambert High School, the environment is one of high expectations and ambition. The biotechnology program, funded by taxpayers and private donors, provides students with resources comparable to those found in college laboratories. This affluent school district has become a hub for aspiring scientists, particularly among its majority Asian-American student body, many of whom are children of immigrants.
Preparation for the iGEM competition is rigorous. Each year, approximately 100 students vie for roughly ten spots on the team. Those chosen must submit project proposals, take tests, and face interviews, often requiring long hours of dedicated work. The competition culminates in a showcase of their projects, which this year includes over 400 teams, one-third of which are high schoolers.
As the team approached the competition date in October 2025, they achieved significant milestones. Their research indicated that they could identify Lyme disease as early as two days after infection, a notable improvement over existing tests that typically detect the disease only after two weeks. Their findings not only hold promise for diagnosis but also for treatment, as they explore innovative methods that could change the landscape of Lyme disease management.
The excitement among the students is palpable. “We’re doing something in our high school lab that could potentially have a huge impact for millions of people,” said Claire Lee, another senior on the team. “It’s not just a project for a grade; it could help save lives.”
The pressure is on as they complete their preparations for the international competition. With a year of hard work behind them, the team members work late into the night, coding, compiling results, and building a website to present their project to the judges. Their efforts have already earned them recognition, as Lambert High School won the grand prize at the previous iGEM competition in 2022.
As the students arrived in Paris, they were eager to showcase their work and compete against teams whose projects included innovative solutions for various global issues, such as crop growth on Mars and treatments for cataracts. The competition floor was bustling, with Lambert’s team among the few American high school representatives, a stark contrast to the 120 teams from Asia.
The team’s biotechnology teacher, Kate Sharer, expressed admiration for her students’ capabilities. “They are so smart that I can’t keep up,” she noted. This reflects not just individual talent but also the collective striving for excellence that defines the Lambert High School iGEM program.
Despite the competition’s intensity, the team focused on their goal: to present their findings on an international stage and potentially revolutionize how Lyme disease is diagnosed and treated. After a series of tense moments on stage, they learned they had not secured the grand prize, which went to the team from Great Bay in Shenzhen, China. However, Lambert’s team celebrated a significant achievement by winning the award for best software tool.
As they left the competition, the students felt a mix of pride and determination. “We thought our project was amazing,” Karthik stated, reflecting on their journey. “We’re very proud of it.” Their success reinforces the importance of fostering scientific inquiry among youth, as they represent the future of innovation in biotechnology and beyond.
