Tickology – what does science say about ticks?

18 11 2025

Category: III.3.2, Results

In which month are ticks most active? Do ticks prefer older or younger people? How long do ticks feed on the human body?

These and other questions are answered by scientists from the Faculty of Biology based on research conducted in 2019–2025 as part of the OPUS grant from the National Science Centre, entitled “The impact of the tick microbiome and co-infection on the occurrence of Borrelia in Ixodes ricinus ticks and on the success of spirochete transmission via ticks to humans”.

This project aimed to examine ticks feeding on human skin for the co-occurrence of Borrelia with other tick-borne pathogens and to identify factors influencing the risk of developing Lyme disease after a tick bite in Poland. The research was carried out using a citizen science approach and was made possible thanks to the involvement of volunteers from all over Poland!

The results of the research are presented on the website:

https://kleszczologia.biol.uw.edu.pl/

The website was created as part of Action III.3.2. “Promotion of scientific research in the public domain” of the “Excellence Initiative – Research University” Programme.