Ganta Lab
Roman R. Ganta · Columbia, Missouri
University of Missouri-Columbia · Biology
Research focus
Dr. Roman R. Ganta's lab focuses on understanding and combating tick-borne diseases caused by the bacteria Ehrlichia chaffeensis and Anaplasma phagocytophilum. By developing new methods to grow these bacteria without host cells and creating genetic mutations, the lab aims to explore how these pathogens evade immune responses and cause persistent infections. This research has significant implications for public health, especially for high-risk populations affected by these diseases.
tick-borne diseasesEhrlichia chaffeensisAnaplasma phagocytophilumgenetic mutationpathogen-host interactions
Research aims
3AIM 01Develop a mutational library for E. chaffeensis to enhance genetic studies.
AIM 02Create targeted mutations in Anaplasma phagocytophilum for diverse research applications.
AIM 03Optimize conditions for axenic growth of tick-borne pathogens.
Skills the lab values
bacterial culturinggenetic mutagenesisaxenic media developmentPCRmolecular cloning
Output against the department
118publicationsbottom 42% of the department596th of 1,033
most publishedleast published
2.7kcitationsbottom 20% of the department831st of 1,033
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. Position on each rail is this lab's rank, not its distance from the top: a department runs from one paper to tens of thousands, so rank is the only comparison that stays readable across it.