Brandon L. Jutras, Ph.D., is a tenured Associate Professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology and a member of the Center for Human Immunobiology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

His research focuses on the cell biology and immunopathogenesis of tick-borne bacterial infections, with particular emphasis on Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme disease. Dr. Jutras is internationally recognized for pioneering work on the unusual peptidoglycan cell wall of B. burgdorferi, including landmark discoveries showing that bacterial peptidoglycan can persist in human tissues and drive chronic inflammation such as Lyme arthritis. His laboratory integrates bacterial genetics, chemical biology, advanced microscopy, immunology, and translational animal models to uncover how bacterial cell-wall fragments shape host immune responses and disease outcomes.

This work has led to high-impact publications in journals including PNAS, Nature Microbiology, Science Translational Medicine, and PLoS Pathogens, as well as multiple patents aimed at improving Lyme disease diagnostics and therapeutics. Supported by major funding from the NIH, Department of Defense, and private foundations, Dr. Jutras is also an award-winning mentor and educator committed to translating fundamental microbiology into transformative advances for human health.