University of Missouri-Columbia · BiologyGanta Lab
Roman R. Ganta · Columbia, Missouri
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
Publications118bottom 42% of dept.596th of 1,033
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations2.7kbottom 20% of dept.831st of 1,033
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.