Understanding how tick-borne bacteria grow and evade the immune system
Official title: Genetics and Axenic Growth of tick-borne E. chaffeensis and A. phagocytophilum
Funded at University of Missouri-Columbia · NIH-11138547 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at the germs that cause certain tick-borne illnesses to find better ways to grow and study them, which could help us understand how they avoid our immune system and lead to new treatments for people who get sick from them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Missouri-Columbia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbia, United States) |
| Project start | July 15, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $536,741 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI182519-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11138547 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have been diagnosed with human monocytic ehrlichiosis or granulocytic anaplasmosis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other unrelated infections or conditions not caused by these specific tick-borne bacteria may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the bacteria responsible for human monocytic ehrlichiosis and granulocytic anaplasmosis, which can cause serious illness. The team aims to develop methods to grow these bacteria outside of host cells, allowing for easier study and manipulation. By creating a library of genetic mutations, they hope to better understand how these pathogens evade the immune system and persist in the body. This could lead to new insights into treatment and prevention strategies for affected patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments and preventive measures for tick-borne diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in similar approaches to studying tick-borne pathogens, indicating potential for success in this area.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Missouri-Columbia
Columbia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ganta, Roman R. — University of Missouri-Columbia
- Study coordinator: Ganta, Roman R.
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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.