How Anaplasma Bacteria Survive in Ticks and Spread to People
Official title: Anaplasma Phagocytophilum Modulate Tick Gene Expression for its Survival and Transmission from the Vector Host
Funded at University of Tennessee Knoxville · NIH-11135388 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This work explores how the bacteria that cause human anaplasmosis survive inside ticks and how they are passed on to people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tennessee Knoxville NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Knoxville, United States) |
| Project start | July 18, 2017 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $357,236 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI130116-08 |
| Project ID | NIH-11135388 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients who live in areas where anaplasmosis is common or who are at risk of tick bites could potentially benefit from future prevention strategies developed from this research.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not at risk of tick-borne diseases or who have already been successfully treated for anaplasmosis may not directly benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
Anaplasmosis is a disease spread by tick bites, and this project aims to understand the tiny details of how the bacteria that cause it live within ticks. Researchers are looking at specific genes and pathways in ticks that the bacteria use to survive and multiply. By uncovering these survival strategies, we hope to find new ways to stop the bacteria from being transmitted from ticks to humans. This knowledge could lead to better prevention methods for tick-borne illnesses.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to prevent human anaplasmosis by blocking the bacteria's ability to survive in or be transmitted by ticks.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work by this team has shown that blocking a specific tick protein can impair bacterial transmission, indicating promising avenues for intervention.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Tennessee Knoxville
Knoxville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Neelakanta, Girish — University of Tennessee Knoxville
- Study coordinator: Neelakanta, Girish
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.