A team of high school students from Lambert High School in suburban Atlanta has developed a promising new method for detecting and treating Lyme disease, leveraging the revolutionary gene-editing technology known as CRISPR. This innovative approach could significantly improve outcomes for the nearly half a million Americans affected by the disease each year. The students, competing in the prestigious iGEM competition in Paris, aimed to showcase their findings against international teams, including those from China, a rising leader in biotechnology.
At the heart of Lambert’s project are students like Sean Lee and Avani Karthik, who have taken a proactive role in manipulating genetic material to address real-world health issues. As Sean Lee explained during a lab demonstration, their process involves amplifying DNA samples to identify specific genetic markers associated with Lyme disease.
The challenge of accurately diagnosing Lyme disease lies in its elusive nature, particularly in its early stages. Avani Karthik noted that many patients suffer for years without a proper diagnosis, stating, “We’ve met someone who went 15 years without a diagnosis.” Current testing methods often fail to detect the infection during the critical early weeks when treatment is most effective. Lambert’s team aims to change that by targeting a protein generated by the Lyme bacteria, allowing for a simple, kit-style test that could be as accessible as a COVID-19 or pregnancy test.
Their ambitious project also seeks to explore new treatment options. Standard therapies for Lyme disease typically involve antibiotics, but the students are investigating a CRISPR-based method to directly target the bacteria responsible for the illness. This dual approach—detection and treatment—requires sophisticated software capable of modeling CRISPR’s application effectively.
While the Lambert team benefits from a strong educational foundation and state-of-the-art lab facilities, the competition remains fierce. Each year, approximately 100 students vie for around 10 spots on the iGEM team, showcasing the high level of interest and talent within the school. The program has attracted families from across the globe, all hoping their children can join this elite team.
With the iGEM competition drawing near, Lambert’s students faced a rigorous schedule, working late nights to finalize their project details and presentation materials. Their efforts culminated in a significant achievement: they demonstrated the ability to detect Lyme disease as early as two days post-infection, a remarkable advancement over existing tests.
As the competition unfolded in Paris at the end of October 2025, Lambert’s team was met with a vibrant atmosphere, filled with over 400 competing teams, including many high school participants. Among the standout projects were innovations aimed at solving issues as varied as indoor mold treatment and crop growth on Mars.
While Lambert did not secure the grand prize—awarded to China’s Great Bay—the team celebrated a notable victory by winning the award for best software tool. This recognition positioned them as the only American school to reach the high school top ten, alongside teams from South Korea, Taiwan, and multiple Chinese schools.
The journey of Lambert’s students reflects not only their passion for science but also the urgent need for continued investment in biotechnology education. Drew Endy, a Stanford professor and one of iGEM’s founders, emphasized the importance of fostering American leadership in synthetic biology, particularly as other nations ramp up their efforts in this field.
Though the students from Lambert High School have made significant strides, they understand that their work is just the beginning. More testing and development are needed to ensure their approach can be effectively implemented in real-world medical scenarios. Yet, the potential impact of their findings could resonate far beyond the classroom, offering hope to millions affected by Lyme disease and beyond.
