ABSTRACT: ADMINISTRATIVE CORE The Administrative Core will be based in the Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology at the Tufts University School of Medicine and will provide managerial and organizational support related to the proposed Program Project. The Administrative Core leader, Dr. Linden Hu, who is also the overall project PI, will provide scientific leadership, facilitate communication among all members of the P01, arrange for evaluation by a Scientific Advisory Board, manage the financial aspects of the program, and assure compliance with Federal regulations. In addition, the Administrative Core will be responsible for overseeing the dissemination of information produced by the project to the broader scientific community and the public. Dr. Hu will be supported in the Administrative Core by the Executive Committee that will be comprised of the Project and Core Leaders, Dr. Robert Smith, Dr. Sam Telford, Dr. John Leong, Dr. John Branda and Dr. Allen Steere. All of these investigators are highly respected leaders in the field of Lyme disease with a long track record of scientific discovery and management experience. The Executive Committee shall provide overall scientific guidance and lead future directions for the Program Project based on constant exchange of data and information. To meet the goals listed above, the Administrative Core has the following Specific Aims: 1). Establish leadership and management plans for oversight of the four projects and scientific core; 2). Create a communication and dissemination plan to maximize synergies between the projects and scientific core; 3). Coordinate the Evaluation and Progress Report process. Each of these aims will be developed with a focus on improving coordination and interaction between the Cores and the Projects, facilitating exchange of information and advancing knowledge and resources for the scientific community and the public so as to improve the management of Lyme disease.