Yi-Pin Lin, Ph.D.

Wadsworth Center New York State Department of Health Phone: 518-402-2233

David Axelrod Institute Rm.4082 Fax: 518-473-2789
120 New Scotland Ave. Albany, New York 12208 Email: [Link]@[Link]

Education, Specialized Training, Fellowships, and Positions Held:

Education:
02/2010 Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, Ph.D. in Comparative Biomedical Science
Thesis title: Interaction of Leptospiral Microbial Surface Components Recognizing
Adhesive Matrix Molecules with host extracellular matrices. (Advisor: Dr. Yung-Fu Chang)
06/2003 National Taiwan University, Taiwan M.S. in Biochemistry
Thesis title: System biology approaches to reveal mechanism of antibiotics resistance
and susceptibility. (Advisor: Dr. Po-Huang Liang)
06/2001 National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan, Double major in B.S. Biology and Chemical Engineering

Specialized Training, Fellowships, and Positions:

02/2016-Present Research Scientist IV, Grade 27, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of
Health
08/2017-Present Assistant Professor, Department of Biomedical Science, State University of New York at
Albany
The research in my laboratory investigates the mechanisms of pathogen-host
interactions and develops the prevention and therapeutics against pathogens targeting
those mechanisms. I am particularly interested in how the Lyme disease bacteria
survive differentially in different reservoir animals and ticks by escaping from the killing
of the complement system. I have also patented a vaccine antigen targeting such a
complement evasion survival mechanism and am currently developing this antigen as a
new generation of Lyme disease vaccine.
06/2010-12/2015 Postdoctoral Fellow, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA (2011-2015) and
University of Massachusetts School of Medicine, Worcester, MA (2010-2011) (Advisor:
Dr. John Leong)
During my postdoctoral training with Dr. Leong, I studied the pathogenesis of the Lyme
Disease agent Borrelia burgdorferi and found that the extracellular matrix- and
complement regulator-binding activities of Borrelia outer surface proteins promote
dissemination, tissue colonization and disease in the murine model.
03/2010-05/2010 Postdoctoral Fellow, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY
(Advisor: Dr. Yung-Fu Chang)
08/2005-02/2010 Graduate Research Assistant, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca,
NY (Advisor: Dr. Yung-Fu Chang)
My Ph.D. research project focused on cell adhesion and extracellular matrix-binding

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Yi-Pin Lin, Ph.D.
 mechanisms of the adhesins from several zoonotic bacterial pathogen, particularly in
Leptospira interrogans and Clostridium difficile. I established the binding model of
adhesins-ligands interaction by using biophysical and biochemical approaches.
04/2005-07/2005 Research Assistant, Institute of Biochemistry, Academia Sinica, Taiwan.
07/2003-09/2003 Research Assistant, Institute of Biochemistry, Academia Sinica, Taiwan.
(Advisor: Dr. Po-Huang Liang)
I studied the mechanisms of antibiotic resistance and susceptibility by pathogenic
E. coli, and found that E. coli under the stress of antibiotics can produce compounds to
induce biofilm formation and trigger antibiotic resistance.
*Please note that 10/2003-04/2005 I was a Second Lieutenant, Platoon Leader in Taiwanese Army.

Societies, Membership, Committees, Other Professional Activities:

Committees:
03/2021-Present Review editor, Frontier Immunology
07/2021 Guest editor, Frontier in Molecular BioScience
2022 Member, Junior Faculty Mentoring Committee, Medical College of Wisconsin
2021 Ad hoc Peer Reviewer: Bacterial Pathogenesis (BACP) Study Section, NIH-CSR
2020 Ad hoc Peer Reviewer: Dutch Research Council
2019,2020, 2021 Ad hoc Peer Reviewer: Czech Science Foundation.
2019 Ad hoc Peer Reviewer: Austrian Science Fund
2018 Ad hoc Peer Reviewer, Treatment and Prevention (TP) peer review panel of the Tick Borne
Disease Research Program (TBDRP), DoD-CDMRP (COI)
Peer Reviewer for journals: Nature Communications (3), npj Vaccines (2), PLoS Pathogens (1), PLoS One (6),
PLoS Neg Trop Dis (3), Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases (25), Molecular Microbiology (1), Vaccine (8), FEMS
Microbiology (2), BMC Microbiology (1), Frontier Microbiology (2), Frontier Immunology (5), Frontier Cellular
Infection Microbiology (1), Acta Tropica (1), J. Theoret. Biol. (1), Diag. Microbiol. Infect. Dis. (2), Microbial
Ecology (2), J. Insect. Physiol. (2), Microbial Pathogenesis (1), FEBS Lett (1), Infection Immunity (1), Mol. Vet
Entomol. (1), Scientific Report (2), Pathogens (1), CRVBD (2), Heliyon (1), JOVE (1)

Other Professional Activities:

10/2018 Host 53rd Annual Regional Meeting Eastern New York, Connecticut Valley, New York City
& Northeast Branches
I was the president of American society of Microbiology at Eastern New York Branch to
host this meeting that is held once per four years. The conference is involved in the
research on the different fields of Microbiology, including Microbial Ecology and Evolution,
Microbial Pathogenesis, Microbial Genetics, Vaccine and therapeutics against microbes.
The participants are the members of American society of Microbiology residing in Eastern
New York, Connecticut, and Central and Western Massachusetts.
08/2017 Host Spirochete Day Conference, Research caused by Lyme disease bacteria and other
spirochetes in New York State and Ontario, Canada

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Yi-Pin Lin, Ph.D.
 This is the symposium to connect the researcher who are studying spirochete bacteria,
including Treponema, Lyme borreliae, and Leptospira. I was hosting this symposium by myself
in Wadsworth Center.

Societies and Membership:

05/2007-Present Member, American Society of Microbiology
07/2017-06/2020 President and President Elect, American Society of Microbiology Eastern New York Branch
09/2007-05/2010 Member, International Leptospirosis Society

Professional Awards and Honors:

07/2017 Elected as President Elect for 2017 to 2019, President for 2019 to 2021, American Society of
Microbiology Eastern New York Branch
07/2012-06/2014 Postdoctoral Fellowship, American Heart Association, Atlanta, GA
08/2013 Trainee Travel Award, 13th International Conference on Lyme Borreliosis and other Tick-Borne
Diseases, Boston, MA
10/2009 International Conference Travel Grant, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, New York, NY
07/2009 College of Veterinary Medicine Office of Graduate Education Conference Grant, Cornell University,
12/2008 The American College of Veterinary Microbiologists Awards, 2008 Conference of Research Workers
in Animal Diseases, Chicago, IL
04/2007 The Award of the best oral presentation, 2007 Annual Retreat of Infection and Pathobiology program
in Cornell University, Owego, NY
06/2003 Dean award in Master Thesis, The college of Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
03/2003 Distinguished Achievement in Poster Presentation, 18th Joint Annual Conference of Biomedical
Science, Taipei, Taiwan

Invention Disclosed:
Lin, Y.P. and Kaspars Tars. US20190201516A1. Composition and method for generating immunity to Borrelia
burgdorferi. Granted by United States Patent and Trademark Office
The spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi is the causative agent of Lyme disease, the common tick-borne disease
in the U.S. and Europe. No potent human vaccine is currently available. In this invention, we eliminate
Factor H-binding activity of a Lyme borreliae protein CspZ and identify this mutated protein as a potent
antigen to prevent Lyme disease bacteria transmission from ticks to mammalian hosts. Thus, this mutated
protein is a potent vaccine candidate.

Publications:
Full papers and Authored book chapters: (*Corresponding author)
1. Combs, M., Marcinkiewicz, A.L., Dupuis, A.P. II, Davis, A.D., Lederman, P., Nowak, T.A., Stout, J.L., Strle,
K., Fingerle, V., Margos, G., Ciota, A.T., Diuk-Wasser, M.A., Kolokotronis, S.O.*, Lin, Y.P.* (2022)
Phylogenomic diversity elucidates mechanistic insights into Lyme borreliae host tropism. mSystems
7(4):e0048822.

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Yi-Pin Lin, Ph.D.
2. Chen, Y.L., Marcinkiewicz, A.L., Nowak, T.A., Kudu, R.T., Liu, Z., Strych, U., Bottazzi, M.E., Chen, W.H.,*
Lin, Y.P.* (2022) CspZ FH-binding sites as epitopes promote antibody-mediated Lyme borreliae
clearance. Infect. Immun. 90: e0006222.
3. Chen, W.H.,* Strych, U., Bottazzi, M.E., Lin, Y.P.* (2022) Past, present, and future of Lyme disease
vaccines: Antigen engineering approaches and mechanistic insights. Expert Rev Vaccines. In press. doi:
10.1080/14760584.2022.2102484.
4. Tan, X., Lin, Y.P., Pereira, M.J., Castellanos, M., Coburn, J. Leong, J.M., Chaconas G. (2022) VlsE, the
nexus for antigenic variation of the Lyme disease spirochete, also mediates early bacterial attachment to
the host microvasculature under shear force. PLoS Pathog. 18: e1010511.
5. Lin, Y.P.*, Tufts, D.M., Combs, M., Dupuis, A.P. 2nd, Marcinkiewicz, A.L., Hirsbrunner, A.D., Diaz, A.J.,
Blom, A.M., Strle, K., Davis, A.D., Kramer, L.D., Kolokotronis, S.O., Diuk-Wasser, M.A.* (2022) Cellular
and immunological mechanisms influence host-adapted phenotypes in a vector-borne microparasite.
Proc. Biol. Sci. 289: 20212087.
6. Rollins, R.E., Wulbern, J., Rottgerding, F., Nowak, T.A., Hepner, S., Fingerle, V., Margos, G., Lin, Y.P.,
Kraiczy, P., Becker, N.S. (2022) Utilizing two Borreila bavariensis isolates naturally lacking the Pfam54
gene array to elucidate the roles of Pfam54-encoded proteins. Appl Environ Microbiol. 88: e0155521.
7. Hart, T.M., Dupuis, A.P. II, Tufts, D.M., Blom, A.M., Starkey, S., Rego, R.O., Ram, S., Kraiczy, P., Kramer,
L.D., Diuk-Wasser, M.A., Kolokotronis, S.O.*, Lin, Y.P.* (2021) Host tropism determination by convergent
evolution of immunological evasion in the Lyme disease system. PLoS Pathog. 17: e1009801.
8. Schmidt, F.L., Sürth, V., Berg, T.K., Lin, Y.P., Hovius, J.W., Kraiczy, P. (2021) Interaction between
Borrelia miyamotoi variable major proteins Vlp15/16 and Vlp18 with plasminogen and complement. Sci.
Rep. 11: 4964.
9. Gerlach, E., Lin, Y.P., Nowak, T.A., Kraiczy, P. (2021) The mystery of Lyme disease. Front. Young Minds.
10: 662665.
10. Lin, Y.P., Strle, K. (2021). Borrelia burgdorferi and Lyme disease, Schaechter’s Mechanisms of Microbial
Disease (pp. 265-275). Philadelphia, PA, Wolters Kluwer.
11. Lin, Y.P., Tan, X., Caine, J. A., Castellanos, M., Chaconas, G., Coburn, J., Leong, J. M. (2020)
Strain-specific joint invasion and colonization by Lyme disease spirochetes is promoted by outer surface
protein C. PLoS Pathog. 16: e1008516
12. Marcinkiewicz, A.L., Lieknina, I., Yang, X., Lederman, P.L., Hart, T.M., Yates, J., Chen, W.H., Bottazzi,
M.E., Mantis, N.J., Kraiczy, P., Pal, U., Tars, K., Lin, Y.P.* (2020) The Factor H-binding site of CspZ as a
protective target against multi-strain, tick-transmitted Lyme disease. Infect. Immun. 88: e00956.
13. Lin, Y.P.*, Yu, Y., Marcinkiewicz, A.L., Lederman, P., Hart, T.M., Zhang, F., Linhardt, R.J.* (2020)
Non-anticoagulant heparin as a Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Prevents Lyme Disease Infection. ACS Infect.
Dis. 6: 503-514.
14. Frye, A.M., Hart, T.M., Tufts, D.M., Ram, S., Diuk-Wasser, M.A., Kraiczy, P., Blom, A.M., Lin, Y.P.* (2020)
A soft tick Ornithodoros Moubata salivary protein OmCI is a potent inhibitor to prevent avian complement
activation. Ticks Tick Borne Dis. 11: 101354.
15. Chou, E., Lasek-Nesselquist, E., Taubner, B., Pilar, A., Guignon, E., Page, W., Lin, Y.P., Cady, N.C.
(2020) A fluorescent plasmonic biochip assay for multiplex screening of diagnostic serum antibody

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Yi-Pin Lin, Ph.D.
 targets in human Lyme disease. PLoS One 15: e0228772.
16. Federizon, J., Frye, A., Huang, W.C., Hart, T.M., He, X., Beltran, C., Marcinkiewicz, A.L., Mainprize, I.L.,
Wills, M.K.B., Lin, Y.P., Lovell, J.F. (2020) Immunogenicity of the Lyme disease antigen OspA,
particleized by cobalt porphyrin-phospholipid liposomes. Vaccine. 38: 942-950.
17. Lin, Y.P.*, Diuk-Wasser, M. A., Stevenson, B., Kraiczy, P.* (2020) Complement Evasion Contributes to
Lyme Borreliae-Host Association. Trends in Parasitol. 36: 634.
18. Lin, Y.P.*, Frye, A.M., Nowak, T.A., Kraiczy, P.* (2020) New Insights Into CRASP-Mediated Complement
Evasion in the Lyme Disease Enzootic Cycle. Front. Cell. Infect. Microbiol. 10: 1.
19. Bista, S., Singh, P., Bernard, Q., Yang, X., Hart, T.M., Lin, Y.P., Kitsou, C., Singh, R.V., Zhang, F.,
Linhardt, R.J., Zhnag, K., Akins, D.R., Hritzo, L., Kim, Y., Grab, D.J., Dumler, J.S., Pal, U. (2019) A novel
laminin-binding protein mediates microbial-endothelial cell interactions and facilitates dissemination of
Lyme disease pathogens. J Infect. Dis. 221: 1438.
20. Marcinkiewicz, A.L., Dupuis, II, A.P., Zamba-Campero, M., Nowak, N., Kraiczy, P., Ram, S., Kramer, L.D.,
Lin, Y.P.* (2019) Blood-treatment of Lyme borreliae demonstrates the mechanism of CspZ-mediated
complement evasion to promote systemic infection in vertebrate hosts. Cell Microbiol. 21: e12998.
21. Mühleip, J.J., Lin, Y.P., Kraiczy, P. (2019) Novel insights into the interaction of human and animal
complement regulator factor H with viable Lyme disease spirochetes. Front. Vet. Sci. 5: 346.
22. Federizon, J., Lin, Y.P., Lovell, J.F. (2019) Antigen Engineering Approaches for Lyme Disease Vaccines.
Bioconjug. Chem. 30: 1259-1272.
23. Tufts, D.M., Hart, T.M., Chen, G.F., Kolokotronis, S.O., Diuk-Wasser, M.A., Lin, Y.P.* (2019) Outer
surface protein polymorphisms linked to host-spirochete association in Lyme borreliae. Mol. Microbiol.
111:868-882.
24. Chou, E., Lin, Y.P., Cady, N.C. (2018) Recent strategies for the diagnosis of early Lyme disease. Sci.
Rep. 101: 311-331.
25. Hart, T., Nguyen, N.T.T., Nowak, N.A., Zhang, F., Linhardt, R.J., Diuk-Wasser, M., Ram, S., Kraiczy, P.,
Lin, Y.P.* (2018) Polymorphic factor H-binding activity of CspA protects Lyme borreliae from the host
complement in feeding ticks to facilitate tick-to-host transmission. PLoS Pathog. 14: e1007106.
26. Hart, T., Yang, X., Pal, U., Lin, Y.P.* (2018) Identification of Lyme borreliae proteins promoting vertebrate
host blood-specific spirochete survival in Ixodes scapularis nymphs using artificial feeding chambers.
Ticks Tick Borne Dis. 9: 1057-1063.
27. Chou, E., Zenteno, G., Taubner, B., Pilar A., Guignon, E., Page, W., Lin, Y.P.*, Cady, N.C.* (2018)
Grating coupled-surface plasmon resonance and fluorescent plasmonics biosensor for diagnosis of
Lyme disease. SPIE Proceeding. [Link]
28. Bernard, Q., Smith, A.A., Yang, X., Koci, J., Foor, S.D., Cramer, S.D., Zhuang, X., Dwyer, J.E., Lin, Y.P.,
Mongodin, E.F., Marques, A., Leong, J.M., Anguita, J., Pal, U. (2018) Plasticity in early immune evasion
strategies of a bacterial pathogen. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 115: e3788-3797.
29. Marcinkiewicz, A.L., Lieknina, I., Kotelovica, S., Yang, X., Kraiczy, P., Pal, U., Lin, Y.P.*, Tars, K*. (2018)
Eliminating Factor H-Binding Activity of Borrelia burgdorferi CspZ Combined with Virus-Like Particle
Conjugation Enhances Its Efficacy as a Lyme Disease Vaccine. Front. Immunol. 9: 181.
30. Nguyen, N.T.T., Röttgerding, F., Devraj, G., Lin, Y.P., Koenigs, A., Kraiczy, P. (2018) The Complement

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Yi-Pin Lin, Ph.D.
 Binding and Inhibitory Protein CbiA of Borrelia miyamotoi Degrades Extracellular Matrix Components by
Interacting with Plasmin(ogen). Front. Cell. Infect. Microbiol. 8: 23.
31. Chou, E., Lin, Y.P., Cady, N.C. (2018) Recent strategies for the diagnosis of early Lyme disease. Sci.
Prog. 101: 311-331.
32. Lin Y.P.*, Leong, J.M. (2018) Characterization of Borrelia burgdorferi Binding to Mammalian Cells and
Extracellular Matrix. Methods Mol. Biol. 1690: 57-67.
33. Hsieh, C.L., Ptak, C.P., Tseng, A., Suguiura, I., McDonough, S.P., Sritrakul, T., Li, T., Lin, Y.P., Gillilan,
R.E., Oswald, R.E., Chang, Y.F. (2017) Extended structure of a Leptospira antigen offers high
bactericidal antibody accessibility amendable to vaccine design. eLife. 6: e30051.
34. Caine, J.A., Lin, Y.P., Kessler, J.R., Sato, H., Leong, J.M., Coburn, J. (2017) Borrelia burgdorferi outer
surface protein C (OspC) binds complement component C4b and confers bloodstream survival. Cell
Microbiol. 19: e12786.
35. Lin Y.P.*, Li, L., Zhang, F., Linhardt, R.J. (2017) Borrelia burgdorferi glycosaminoglycan-binding proteins:
a potential target for new therapeutics against Lyme disease. Microbiology. 163: 1759-1766.
36. Lin, Y.P. “Lyme Disease” in Environmental Health in the 21st Century: From Air Pollution to Zoonotic
Diseases. Edited by Richard Crume. 2 vols. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO, forthcoming 2017.
37. Marcinkiewicz, A.L., Kraiczy, P., Lin, Y.P.* (2017) There Is a Method to the Madness: Strategies to Study
Host Complement Evasion by Lyme Disease and Relapsing Fever Spirochetes. Front Microbiol. 8: 328.
38. Hsieh, C.L., Chang, E., Tseng, A., Ptak, C., Wu, L.C., Su, C.L., McDonough, S.P., Lin, Y. P., Chang, Y.F.
(2016) Leptospira Immunoglobulin-Like Protein B (LigB) Binds to Both the C-Terminal 23 Amino Acids of
Fibrinogen αC Domain and Factor XIII: Insight into the Mechanism of LigB-Mediated Blockage of
Fibrinogen α Chain Cross-Linking. PLoS Negl. Trop. Dis. 10: e0004974.
39. Parker, M.L., Houston, S., Pětrošová, H., Lithgow, K.V., Hof, R., Wetherell, C., Kao, W.C., Lin, Y. P.,
Moriarty, T.J., Ebady, R., Cameron, C.E., Boulanger, M.J. (2016). The Structure of Treponema pallidum
Tp0751 (Pallilysin) Reveals a Non-canonical Lipocalin Fold That Mediates Adhesion to Extracellular
Matrix Components and Interactions with Host Cells. PLoS Pathog. 12: e1005919.
40. Yang, X†, Lin, Y. P.†, Heselpoth, R. D., Kung, F., Buyuktanir, O., Nelson, D.C., Leong, J. M., and Pal, U. A
(2016) Middle region of the Borrelia burgdorferi surface-located protein 1 (Lmp1) interacts with host
chondroitin-6-sulfate and independently facilitates infection Cell Microbiol. 18: 97-110. († Equally
contribute)
41. Lin, Y.P., Bhowmick, R., Coburn, J., Leong, J. M. (2015) Host cell heparan sulfate glycosaminoglycans
are ligands for OspF-related proteins of the Lyme disease spirochete. Cell Microbiol. 17: 1464-1476.
42. Ristow, L.C., Bonde, M., Lin, Y.P., Sato, H., Curtis, M., Geissler, E., Hahn, B., Fang, J., Wilcox, D.A.,
Leong, J.M. Bergström, D., Coburn, J. (2015) The integrin binding function of P66, an outer surface
protein of Borrelia burgdorferi, plays a role in dissemination. Cell. Microbiol. 17: 1021-1036.
43. Lin, Y.P., Chen, Q., Ritchie, J., Dufour, N.P., Fisher, J.R., Coburn, J., Leong, J.M. (2015)
Glycosaminoglyan binding but not fibronectin binding by Borrelia burgdorferi adhesin BBK32 promotes
joint colonization. Cell. Microbiol. 17: 860-875.
44. Lin, Y.P., Osburne, M.S., Pereira, M.J., Coburn, J., and Leong, J.M. (2015) Glycosaminoglycan Binding
by the Lyme Disease Spirochete is a Determinant of Tissue Tropism and Disease, Wiederschain, G.

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Yi-Pin Lin, Ph.D.
 (Ed.), Glycobiology and Human Disease (pp. 86-96). Boca Raton, FL, CRC Press.
45. Lin, Y.P., Benoit, V., Yang, X., Martínez-Herranz, R., Pal, U., Leong, J.M. (2014) Strain-specific variation
of the decorin-binding adhesin DbpA influences the tissue tropism of the Lyme disease spirochete. PLoS
Pathog. 10: e1004238.
46. Fortune, D.E., Lin, Y.P., Deka, R.K., Groshong, A.M., Hagman, K.E., Leong, J.M., Tomchick, D.R.,
Blevins, J.S. (2014) Identification of lysine residues in the Borrelia burgdorferi DbpA adhesin required for
murine Infection. Infect. Immun. 82: 3186-3198.
47. Ptak, C.P., Hsieh, C.L., Lin, Y.P., Maltsev, A.S., Raman, R., Sharma, Y., Oswald, R.E., Chang, Y.F. (2014)
NMR solution structure of the terminal immunoglobulin-like domain from the Leptospira host-interacting
outer membrane protein, LigB. Biochemistry. 53: 5249-5260.
48. Moriarty, T.J., Shi, M., Lin, Y.P., Ebady, R., Zhou, H., Odisho T., Hardy P.O., Diligimen, A. Wu, J.,
Weening, E., Skare, J., Kubes, P., Leong J.M. Chaconas, G. (2012) Mechanistically distinct steps of B.
burgdorferi vascular adhesion under shear force are mediated by BBK32 interactions with host
fibronectin and glycosaminoglycans. Mol. Microbiol. 86: 1116-1131.
49. Benoit, V.B., Fischer, J.R., Lin, Y.P., Parveen, N., Leong, J.M. (2011) Allelic variation of the Lyme
disease spirochete adhesin DbpA influences spirochetal binding to decorin, dermatan sulfate, and
mammalian cells. Infect. Immun., 79: 3501-3509.
50. Lin, Y.P., McDonough, S.P., Sharma, Y., Chang, Y.F. (2011) Leptospira immunoglobulin-like protein B
(LigB) binding to the C-terminal fibrinogen αC domain inhibits fibrin clot formation, platelet adhesion and
aggregation. Mol. Microbiol. 79: 1063-1076.
51. Lin, Y.P., Kuo, C.J. Koleci, X., McDonough, S.P., Chang, Y.F. (2011) Manganese binds Clostridium
diffficile Fbp68 and is essential for fibronectin binding. J. Biol. Chem. 286: 3957-3969.
52. Raman, R., Rajanikanth, V., Palaniappan, R.U., Lin, Y.P., He, H., McDonough, S.P., Sharma, Y., Chang,
Y. F. (2010) Big domains are novel Ca2+-binding modules: Evidences from Big domains of Leptospira
immunoglobulin-like (Lig) proteins. PLoS One 5: e14377.
53. Lin, Y.P., McDonough, S.P., Sharma, Y., Chang, Y.F. (2010) The terminal immunoglobulin-like repeats of
LigA and LigB of Leptospira enhance their binding to gelatin binding domain of fibronectin and host cells.
PLoS One 5: e11301.
54. Lin, Y.P., Greenwood A., Yan, W., Nicholson, L.K., Sharma, Y., McDonough, S.P., Chang, Y.F. (2009) A
novel fibronectin type III modules binding motif identified on C-terminus of Leptospira
Immunoglobulin-like protein LigB. Biochem. Biophy. Res. Commun. 389: 57-62.
55. Lin, Y.P., Greenwood, A., Nicholson, L.K., Sharma, Y., McDonough, S.P., Chang, Y.F. (2009) Fibronectin
binds to and induces conformational change in a disordered region of Leptospira interrogans
immunoglobulin-like protein LigB. J. Biol. Chem. 284: 23547-23557.
56. Lin, Y.P., Lee, D.W., McDonough S.P., Nicholson L.K., Sharma, Y., Chang, Y.F. (2009) Repeated
domains of Leptospira immunoglobulin-like proteins interact with elastin and tropoelastin. J. Biol. Chem.
284: 19380-19391.
57. Lin, Y.P., Raman, R., Sharma, Y., Chang, Y.F. (2008) Calcium binds to leptospiral immunoglobulin-like
protein, LigB, and modulates fibronectin binding. J. Biol. Chem. 283: 25140-25149.
58. Lin, Y. P., Chang, Y.F. (2008) The C-terminal variable domain of LigB from Leptospira mediates binding

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Yi-Pin Lin, Ph.D.
 to fibronectin. J. Vet. Sci. 9: 133-144.
59. Butcher, B.G., Lin, Y.P., Helmann, J.D. (2007) The yydFGHIJ operon of Bacillus subtilis encodes a
peptide that induces the LiaRS two-component system. J. Bacteriol. 189: 8616-8625.
60. Lin, Y.P., Chang, Y.F. (2007) A domain of the Leptospira LigB contributes to high affinity binding of
fibronectin. Biochem. Biophy. Res. Commun. 362: 443-448.

Manuscripts in progress: (*Corresponding author)

1. Nowak, T.A., Lown, L.A., Marcinkiewicz, A.L., Sürth, V., Kraiczy, P., Burke, R.L., Lin, Y.P.* OspE
mediates Borrelia burgdorferi strain-specific complement evasion in Eastern fence lizards. (under
revision in Ticks and Tickborne Diseases).
2. Combs, M.A., Tufts, D.M., Adams, B., Lin, Y.P., Kolokotronis, S.O., Diuk-Wasser, M.A. Host-adaptation
drives strain diversity in a vector-borne disease system. (submitted to Nat. Commun.)
3. Marcinkiewicz, A.L., Brangulis, K.,* Hart, T.M., Dupuis, A.P. 2nd, Zamba‐Campero, M., Nowak, T.A.,
Stout, J.L., Akopjana, I., Kazaks, A., Bogans, J., Ciota, A.T., Kraiczy, P., Kolokotronis, S.O., Lin, Y.P.*
Structural evolution of an immune evasion determinant shapes Lyme borreliae host tropism. (submitted
to Sci. Adv.).
4. Bonin, J.L., Torres, S. R., Marcinkiewicz, A. L., Yang, X., Pal, U., DiSpirito, J. M., Lin, Y.P., MacNamara,
K. C. Co-infection with Ehrlichia drives emergency myelopoiesis and promotes B. burgdorferi-induced
arthritis (submitted to MBio).

Conference Abstract and Invited talk:

1. Structural evolution of an immune evasion determinant shapes Lyme borreliae host tropism. Nov 18,
2022. Washington State University, Pullman, WA. [Invited Talk]
2. Tickborne diseases for college students. Nov 2, 2022. College of St. Rose. Albany, NY [Invited Talk]
3. Structural evolution of an immune evasion determinant shapes Lyme borreliae host tropism. Sep 15,
2022. East Carolina University, Greenville, NC. [Invited Talk]
4. Structural evolution of an immune evasion determinant shapes Lyme borreliae host tropism. Sep 4-7,
2022. International Conference on Lyme Borreliosis and Other Tick-borne Diseases, Amsterdam,
Netherlands [Poster Presentation].
5. The Structural and Evolutionary Basis of Host Immune Evasion Driving Lyme Borreliae Host Tropism.
May 29-Jun 3, 2022. The Gordon Conference on the Biology of Spirochetes, Ventura, CA [Oral
Presentation].
6. Phylogenomic diversity informs mechanistic insights into Lyme borreliae host tropism. May 29-Jun 3,
2022. The Gordon Conference on the Biology of Spirochetes, Ventura, CA [Poster Presentation].
7. The trade-off between generalist vs. specialist: From Lyme bacteria host tropism to undergrads’ career
development. Dec 21, 2021 National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan [Invited Talk].
8. Borrelia burgdorferi OspE facilitates genotypically distinct lizard complement evasion: Insights into Lyme
disease bacterial survival in North American lizards. Mar 24-26, 2021. 14th International Symposium on
ticks and tickborne diseases. Virtual conference. [Poster Presentation]
9. Preventions that elicit protective immune responses against Lyme disease pathogens. Feb 19, 2021

8
Yi-Pin Lin, Ph.D.
 MassBiologic, Inc, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Boston, MA. [Invited Talk]
10. Investigating the mechanisms to drive reservoir specialization of Lyme disease bacteria. Jan 11, 2021.
3rd SUNY Lyme & Tickborne diseases meeting. Virtual conference. [Invited Talk]
11. Non-anticoagulant heparin as a pre-exposure prophylaxis prevents Lyme disease infection. Mar 29-Apr
3, 2020. The Gordon Conference on the Biology of Spirochetes, Lucca, Italy [Poster Presentation]
12. Traveling to different worlds: Genetic and Evolutionary implications of Lyme disease transmission
between hosts. Nov 7, 2019. Misericordia University, Dallas, PA [Invited Talk].
13. Polymorphic Lyme disease bacteria proteins drive pathogen speciation to adapt vertebrate hosts. Apr 22,
2019. Cornell University, Ithaca, NY [Invited Talk]
14. Lyme disease: pathogen transmission to prevention development. Mar 14, 2019. Albany Medical College,
Albany, NY [Invited Talk]
15. A Grating Coupled-Surface Plasmon Resonance and Fluorescent Plasmonics (GC-SPR/GC-FP)
Biosensor for Diagnosis of Lyme disease. Sep 11-14, 2018. International Conference on Lyme
Borreliosis and Other Tick-borne Diseases, Atlanta, GA [Poster Presentation]
16. Vector-borne diseases-Lyme disease. May 31, 2018. Sanctuary for independent media at Troy, Troy, NY.
(Presentation to general public).
17. Lyme disease: From bench to business. May 1, 2018. College of St. Rose. Albany, NY [Invited Talk]
18. Eliminating factor H-binding activity of B. burgdorferi CspZ combined with virus-like particle conjugation
enhances its efficacy as a Lyme disease vaccine. Feb 26, 2018. Baylor College of Medicine, Houston,
TX [Invited Talk]
19. A Grating Coupled-Surface Plasmon Resonance and Fluorescent Plasmonics (GC-SPR/GC-FP)
Biosensor for Diagnosis of Lyme disease. Jan 21-26, 2018. The Gordon Conference on the Biology of
Spirochetes, Ventura, CA [Poster Presentation]
20. Lyme disease bacteria CspA protein: An example of how bacterial protein polymorphisms drive pathogen
speciation to adapt different vertebrate hosts. Jan 16, 2018. National Cheng Kung University, Tainan,
Taiwan [Invited Talk]
21. Polymorphic Lyme disease bacteria proteins drive pathogen speciation to adapt vertebrate hosts. Oct 27,
2017. State University of New York at Albany. Albany, NY [Invited Talk]
22. Lyme disease: From mechanisms to the diagnostic tools, drugs, and vaccine development. Oct 18, 2017.
State University of New York Polytechnic Institute. Albany, NY [Invited Talk]
23. Tick tock tick tock: The tool to develop Lyme disease vaccine. Aug 29, 2017. Science on Tap
(Presentation to general public). Albany, NY. [Invited Talk]
24. The B. burgdorferi surface proteins CspA and CspZ each promote serum resistance but are differentially
regulated to promote bacterial survival at different stages of the enzootic cycle. Feb 3-4, 2016. New York
State Tick-Borne Disease Research Workshop. Albany, NY [Oral Presentation]
25. The B. burgdorferi surface proteins CspA and CspZ each promote serum resistance but are differentially
regulated to promote bacterial survival at different stages of the enzootic cycle. Jan 10-15, 2016. The
Gordon Conference on the Biology of Spirochetes, Ventura, CA [Poster Presentation]
26. Bacterial factors that bind to complement regulatory proteins to promote dissemination by the Lyme
disease spirochete. Apr 8, 2015. University of California at Riverside, Riverside, CA [Invited Talk]

9
Yi-Pin Lin, Ph.D.
27. Bacterial factors that bind to complement regulatory proteins to promote dissemination by the Lyme
disease spirochete. Jan 29, 2015. Wadsworth Center, Albany, NY [Invited Talk]
28. Bacterial factors that bind to complement regulatory proteins to promote dissemination by the Lyme
disease spirochete. Jan 26, 2015. Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS. [Invited Talk]
29. Adhesive factors promoting colonization by the Lyme disease spirochete. Oct 17, 2014. State University
of New York at Oneonta, Oneonta, NY. [Invited Talk]
30. Adhesive factors promoting colonization by the Lyme disease spirochete. Aug 28, 2014. National Yang
Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan. [Invited Talk]
31. The Borrelia burgdorferi adhesin DbpA binds the host complement regulatory protein C4BP to promote
bloodstream survival. Jan 19-24, 2014. The Gordon Conference on the Biology of Spirochetes, Ventura,
CA [Oral Presentation]
32. The Borrelia burgdorferi adhesin DbpA is bifunctional, binding to extracellular matrix to foster tissue
colonization and to the host complement regulatory protein C4BP to promote bloodstream survival. Aug
18-21, 2013. 13th International Conference on Lyme Borreliosis and Other Tick-Borne Disease, Boston,
MA [Oral Presentation]
33. Genetic dissection of multi-functional colonization factors of the Lyme disease spirochete. May 13, 2013
University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. [Invited Talk]
34. Genetic dissection of multi-functional colonization factors of the Lyme disease spirochete. Apr 25, 2013
Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA. [Invited Talk]
35. The Borrelia burgdorferi adhesin DbpA is bifunctional, binding to extracellular matrix to foster tissue
colonization and to the host complement regulatory protein C4BP to promote bloodstream survival. Apr
20-24, 2013. Experimental Biology Meeting 2013, Boston, MA [Poster Presentation]
36. Stick to Invade: The attachment factors of Lyme disease spirochete. Sep 26, 2012 Taipei Medical
University, Taipei, Taiwan. [Invited Talk]
37. Distinct binding activities of the bifunctional Borrelia burgdorferi adhesin BBK32 provide different
colonization functions. Jun 7-8, 2012. 2012 Boston Bacterial Meeting, Boston, MA [Poster Presentation]
38. OspC-mediated ECM recognition and mammalian cell adhesion by Borrelia burgdorferi. Jan 22-27, 2012.
The Gordon Conference on the Biology of Spirochetes, Ventura, CA [Poster Presentation]
39. The structure of a calcium-binding leptospiral immunoglobulin-like protein (LigB) domain of Leptospira
interrogans. Sep 19-22, 2011. 7th International Leptospirosis Society Conference in Merida, Mexico.
[Poster Presentation]
40. Platelet adhesion, aggregation, and fibrin clot formation blocking by the interaction Leptospira Lig
proteins and the C-terminal fibrinogen αC domain. May 23-27. 2010. 110th American Society of
Microbiology Meeting, San Diego, CA. [Poster Presentation]
41. Multivalent binding contributes to Ig-like domain of Leptospira Lig proteins interacting with host
fibronectin. May 23-27. 2010. 110th American Society of Microbiology Meeting, San Diego, CA. [Poster
Presentation]
42. Fibronectin binds to and induces conformational change in a disordered region of Leptospira interrogans
immunoglobulin-like protein LigB. Sep 21-24, 2009. 6th International Leptospirosis Society Conference in
Kochi, India. [Oral Presentation]

10
Yi-Pin Lin, Ph.D.
43. Repeated domains of Leptospira immunoglobulin-like proteins interact with elastin and tropoelastin. Sep
21-24, 2009. 6th International Leptospirosis Society Conference in Kochi, India. [Oral Presentation]
44. Repeated domains of Leptospira immunoglobulin-like proteins interact with elastin and tropoelastin. Apr
17-18, 2009 Annual Retreat of Infection and Pathobiology program in Cornell University, Watkins Glen,
NY. [Poster Presentation]
45. The Secret of Lig: Leptospira’s weapons of attack. Mar 2, 2009 University Federal Vicosa, Vicosa, Brazil.
[Invited Talk]
46. Fibronectin binding activity on a surface exposed domain within the C-terminal variable region of
Leptospira interrogans LigB protein. Dec 5-9, 2008. Conference of Research Workers in Animal
Diseases, Chicago, IL [Oral Presentation]
47. A surface exposed domain within the C-terminal region of the Leptospira LigB contribute to the binding of
fibronectin. May 31-Jun 3, 2008. 108th American Society of Microbiology Meeting, Boston, MA. [Poster
Presentation]
48. Lig proteins that mediate attachment of Leptospira to the host cells to initiate infection. Sep 17-20, 2007.
5th International Leptospirosis Society Conference in Quito, Ecuador. [Oral Presentation]
49. Molecular characterization of a fibronectin-binding protein LigB of Leptospira. Apr 27-28, 2007 Annual
Retreat of Infection and Pathobiology program in Cornell University, Owego, NY. [Oral Presentation]

Professional Awards and Honors:

Current Funded proposals:
1. 2 R44 AI152954-03 Omnibus Solicitation of the NIH for Small Business Technology Transfer
Grant Applications (R44) 4/1/22-3/31/25 $300,000 (DC for Y1) 2.4 Cal year (20% effort) NIH-NIAID
FH-Fc as a Pre-Exposure Prophylactic for Tickborne Disease
Role: PI

2. TB190048 Investigator Initiate Research Award 10/1/20 to 9/30/23 $325,000 (DC for Y1) 1.2 Cal
Year (10% effort). DoD
Development of a Recombinant CspZ Vaccine Against Lyme Disease Infection
Role: PI

3. BAA-NIAID-DAIT-NIHAI201800001 NIAID contract 9/16/19 to 9/15/24 $784,323 (DC for Y1) 0.6 Cal
year (5% effort) NIH-NIAID
Lyme disease: B cell epitope discovery and mechanisms of antibody.
Role: Subcontract PI

4. 1 R21 AI144891-01A1 Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant Program (R21) 2/1/20 to 1/31/22

(NCE) $131,327 (DC for Y1) 2.4 Cal year (20% effort) NIH-NIAID
Identification of the mechanism of protection against a B. burgdorferi protein CspZ for the prevention of
Lyme disease.
Role: PI

11
Yi-Pin Lin, Ph.D.
5. 1 R21 AI146381-01A1 Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant Program (R21) 7/1/20 to 6/30/22
(NCE) $81,690 (DC for Y1) 2.4 Cal year (20% effort) NIH-NIAID
Early Host Responses During Co-Infection of Tick-Borne Pathogens.
Role: PI

6. 7 R21 AI144916-02 Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant Program (R21) 12/10/19 to 2/28/21

(NCE) $173,520 (DC for Y1) 2.4 Cal year (10% effort) NIH-NIAID
Defining host genetic factors in adverse clinical outcomes in Lyme disease.
Role: PI

Previous Funded proposals in past five years:

1. IOS-1755286 Division of Integrative Organismal Systems Core Programs 8/15/18 to 8/14/22
$80,000 (DC for Y1) 0.6 Cal year (5% effort) NSF
Tradeoffs between specialist and generalist host exploitation strategies in a tick-borne bacterial
pathogen
Role: PI

Pending proposals:
1. 1 R01 AI165703-01A1 Research Project Grant (R01) 10/1/22 to 9/30/27 $402,000 (DC for Y1) 2.4 Cal
year (20% effort) NIH-NIAID (Percentile: 19%, Pending for bridge funding by NIAID)
Immunomodulatory mechanisms of wild bird reservoir hosts that facilitate persistence of Lyme disease
bacteria.
Role: PI

2. 1 R01 AI175123-01 Research Project Grant (R01) 4/1/23 to 3/31/28 $499,999 (DC for Y1) 2.4 Cal
year (20% effort) NIH-NIAID (Percentile: 23%, Planning to resubmit by 3/6/23)
Define the mechanisms targeting a B. burgdorferi protein CspZ to prevent Lyme disease infection.
Role: PI

3. 1 R01 AI175486-01 Research Project Grant (R01) 4/1/23 to 3/31/28 $499,999 (DC for Y1) 2.4 Cal
year (20% effort) NIH-NIAID
Polymorphic anti-complement factors of the Lyme disease agent promote disseminated infection of
reservoir hosts and humans.
Role: PI

4. 1 R01 AI168425-01A1 Research Project Grant (R01) 4/1/23 to 3/31/28 $350,000 (DC for Y1) 1.8 Cal
year (15% effort) NIH-NIAID
Microbial Determinants of Excessive Inflammation and Severe Lyme Disease
Role: Co-investigator

12
Yi-Pin Lin, Ph.D.
Involvement in Academic Institution
Course taught:
1. Microbial Pathogenesis (University at Albany, School of Public Health)
Fall, 2017; Spring, 2019; Spring 2022
Role: Lecturer for topics of Adhesion, Tropism.
2. Advanced Bacteriology (Albany Medical College)
Spring, 2020; Spring, 2021; Spring, 2022
Role: Lecturer for topics of Spirochetes
3. Basic immunology (University at Albany, School of Public Health)
Fall, 2016; Fall, 2017; Spring, 2019; Spring, 2020; Spring, 2021; Spring 2022
Role: Lecturer for topics of complement system
4. Advanced Immunology (Albany Medical College/University at Albany, School of Public Health)
Fall, 2018; Fall 2020; Fall 2022
Role: Lecturer for topics of complement system
5. Medical Entomology (University at Albany, School of Public Health)
Spring, 2016; Spring, 2018; Spring, 2020
Role: Lecturer for topics of Ticks and tickborne diseases

Participation on thesis committees:

1. Tristan Nowak, Doctoral thesis committee, University of Albany School of Public Health, Advisor: Yi-Pin
Lin
2. Thomas Hart, Doctoral thesis committee, University of Albany Biology department, Advisor: Yi-Pin Lin
3. Amber Frye, Doctoral thesis committee, University of Albany School of Public Health, Advisor: Yi-Pin Lin
4. Tim Czajka, Doctoral thesis committee, University of Albany School of Public Health, Advisor: Nick
Mantis
5. Kathleen McCarthy, Doctoral thesis committee, University of Albany School of Public Health, Advisor:
Nick Mantis
6. Lori Taylor, Master thesis committee, Laboratory Science degree program at Wadsworth Center, Advisor:
Laura Kramer
7. Rachel Lange, Doctoral thesis committee, University of Albany School of Public Health, Advisor: Alex
Ciota
8. Haley Caldwell, Doctoral thesis committee, University of Albany School of Public Health, Advisor: Alex
Ciota
9. Anna Boczula, Doctoral thesis committee, University of Toronto, Advisor: Tara Moriarty

Participation on Junior Faculty mentoring committees:

1. WenZhou Hong, Junior Faculty mentoring committee, Medical College of Wisconsin.

Present/past student advisor status:

13
Yi-Pin Lin, Ph.D.
Present postdoc:
1. Anurag Kushwaha (2022-Present)
Present Students:
1. Tristan Nowak (2019-present), PhD student, University of Albany School of Public Health
2. Daniel Palmer (2021-present), Undergraduate student, University of Binghamton
Past Students:
1. Thomas Hart (graduated on 2021), PhD student, University of Albany Biology department
Status: Postdoctoral fellow in Yale University.
2. Amber Frye (2018-2019), PhD student, University of Albany School of Public Health
3. Atieh Shemshadian (rotation: Feb-March, 2020), PhD rotation student, University at Albany School of
Public Health
Status: PhD student in Nick Mantis’ laboratory
4. Rachel Fay (rotation: Nov-Dec, 2018), PhD rotation student, University of Albany School of Public
Health
Status: PhD student in Alex Ciota’s laboratory
5. Haley Caldwell (rotation: Nov-Dec, 2017), PhD rotation student, University of Albany School of Public
Health
Status: PhD student in Alex Ciota’s laboratory
6. Lori Taylor (rotation Sep, 2017), Master rotation student, Laboratory Science degree program at
Wadsworth Cente
Status: Research technician in Wadsworth Center
7. Christopher Beltran (June-Aug, 2019), Undergraduate student, Research Experience for
Undergraduate Program, Wadsworth Center.
Status: Graduated from Loyola University Chicago and currently working in NorthShore
University Health System
8. Maxime Zamba-Campero (June-Aug, 2018), Undergraduate student, Research Experience for
Undergraduate Program, Wadsworth Center.
Status: Graduated from St. Mary’s college and currently studying in PhD program at University of
Pennsylvania
9. Michael Jarvis (June-Aug, 2018), Undergraduate student, Summer student
Status: Graduated from College of St. Rose and currently unknown
10. Levi Poirier (June-Aug, 2017), Undergraduate student, Research Experience for Undergraduate
Program
Status: Graduated from University of Albany and currently unknown
11. Kevin Rooney (June-Aug, 2017), Undergraduate student, Research Experience for Undergraduate
Program
Status: Graduated from Villanova College and currently unknown
12. Benjamin Taubner (June-Aug, 2017), Undergraduate student, Research Experience for Undergraduate
Program
Status: Graduated from Mercer college and currently Research technician at SUNY Polytech.

14
Yi-Pin Lin, Ph.D.
13. Brian Sa (June-Aug, 2016), Undergraduate student, Summer student
Status: Graduated from University at Buffalo and currently working in Sloan Kettering Medical Center.

Service on other committees:

1. Recruitment committee of Research Scientist IV (Immunologist on tick-borne diseases; G27) in Division
of Infectious Diseases
2. Recruitment committee of Research Scientist IV (Regeneron-Wadsworth Collaboration on tick-borne
diseases; G27) in Division of Infectious Diseases
3. Recruitment committee of Research Scientist I and II (Regeneron-Wadsworth Collaboration on
tick-borne diseases; G18 and G22) in Division of infectious Diseases
4. Recruitment committee of Assistant Research Scientist from Klemen Strle laboratory (G14)
5. Recruitment committee of technician from Nick Mantis laboratory (G12)
6. Research Experience for Undergraduate in Wadsworth Center, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021.
7. Graduate Student Recruitment Committee in BMS program SUNY Albany, 2022

15
Yi-Pin Lin, Ph.D.